Washington - The American Association of University Women Legal Advocacy Fund announces a partial victory in the ongoing problem of sex discrimination and inequality in university athletics with a ruling against summary judgment allowing the Title IX claims to move forward in Potera-Haskins v. Gamble, Montana State University, et al.
“I am grateful that I will have the opportunity to present the facts of my termination without cause from Montana State University,” said plaintiff Robin Potera-Haskins.
Potera-Haskins sued Montana State University-Bozeman on July 1, 2005 for sex discrimination and for retaliation for complaining about sex discrimination.
Throughout her employment, Potera-Haskins alleges that she was given fewer privileges than the male coaches in the athletic department. She asserts that she was paid 30 percent less than the male coaches and was not given benefits that male coaches routinely received, such as use of vehicles and cellular phones. She also contends she was given less autonomy over her team and was forced to use substandard practice facilities.
Potera-Haskins claims university officials told her that “winning is not a high priority for the women’s…team” and that she should set “lower expectations.”
In her complaint, Potera-Haskins alleges that the school’s athletic director pressured her to place his daughter on the basketball team and provide her with an athletic scholarship, even though she lacked the skills and qualifications to play at the Division I level. When Potera-Haskins filed a complaint with the university, no action was taken. She was eventually terminated without cause and replaced by an individual she feels is less-qualified male coach.
“All too frequently universities ‘shoot the messenger’ for raising complaints of unequal treatment instead of addressing the problem. Thankfully, Title IX permits Ms. Potera-Haskins the right to seek remedies for her claims of retaliation,” said David K. Colapinto, the attorney representing Ms. Potera-Haskins, in response to the summary judgment.
Unfortunately, the victory is not complete due to the court’s decision to grant summary judgment in favor of the University based on the Title VII claims. This decision comes at the heels of the Supreme Court’s decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear, which severely limited the ability of victims of pay discrimination to sue under Title VII.
“While we are disappointed that the court granted summary judgment in favor of the University on Title VII claims, it is great news that they can move forward with the Title IX claims,” said Lauren Kamnik, director of the American Association of University Women Legal Advocacy Fund, which has supported Ms. Potera-Haskins in her case.
"We stand behind Ms. Potera-Haskins because we believe in the strength of her claims. Women athletes and coaches deserve the same opportunities as men to compete at their best.”
Read more about Potera-Haskins v. Gamble, Montana State University, et al.
To schedule an interview with AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund Director Lauren Kamnik, please contact Samantha Slater, AAUW Senior Media Relations Associate, at 202/785-7738, slaters@aauw.org, or Ashley Carr, AAUW Director of communications, at 202/785-7745, carra@aauw.org.
