5.8 Million Sex Discrimination Verdict
Lindy Vivas, the coach of a college volleyball team in Fresno California, sued Fresno State for sex discrimination and retaliation. She said she was fired because she demanded equal treatment for female athletes. The jury believed her and awarded 5.8 million.
She sued under Title IX which prohibits discrimination in education. Sex discrimination at university sports programs appears to be a serious problem. The percentage of woman's teams coached by woman is at an all time low. Also the salaries for female coaches are lower than those for men. Moreover, the men's teams get most of the support and the woman's teams are relegated to second tier status. Ms. Vivas was fired for challenging this situation and demanding change.
The discrimination at Fresno State was apparently rampant with male coaches openly mocking the female coaches and athletes with events like the "Ugly Woman Athletes Day." Ms. Vivas' case demonstrated that a battle of the sexes was raging at the University. Several other woman have similar suits pending against Fresno State. The school plans to appeal.
