Trouble on Rocky Top

[MilfordHusky]

Law suit: http://espn.go.com/womens-college-b...r-sues-university-athletic-director-dave-hart

 

[Wbbfan1]

Smart to ask for a Jury trial. Can't see her losing if it ends up in court and not settled out of court.

 

[Joe6cats]

Law suit: http://espn.go.com/womens-college-b...r-sues-university-athletic-director-dave-hart

Oh bummer! The suite may raise questions about UTenn as a welcoming place for female athletes. Do you think this will influence recruiting?

 

[UConnCat]

One of the more interesting allegations in this complaint concerns Pat Summitt and her decision to step down as head coach. Jennings alleges that on the eve of the NCAA tournament, Summitt was told by the Tenn AD that she would no longer be the head coach after the 2011-2012 season and that Warlick would be named the new head coach. Jennings further alleges that Summitt was "very upset and extremely hurt" by this decision and that Jennings was fired, in part, for protesting the treatment of Summitt. I doubt very much this case will go to trial. Jennings must feel uncomfortable dragging Summitt and her condition into her case but I'm sure she's banking on the fact that the university won't want this turned into a spectacle and will be prepared to settle.

 

[speedoo]

One of the more interesting allegations in this complaint concerns Pat Summitt and her decision to step down as head coach. Jennings alleges that on the eve of the NCAA tournament, Summitt was told by the Tenn AD that she would no longer be the head coach after the 2011-2012 season and that Warlick would be named the new head coach. Jennings further alleges that Summitt was "very upset and extremely hurt" by this decision and that Jennings was fired, in part, for protesting the treatment of Summitt. I doubt very much this case will go to trial. Jennings must feel uncomfortable dragging Summitt and her condition into her case but I'm sure she's banking on the fact that the university won't want this turned into a spectacle and will be prepared to settle.

In other words, Jennings is using Summitt as a bargaining chip to get more money out of the University. Ironic, after the University and Summitt gave her a pretty good living for so many years.

 

[UConnCat]

In other words, Jennings is using Summitt as a bargaining chip to get more money out of the University. Ironic, after the University and Summitt gave her a pretty good living for so many years.

Hmmm, I wouldn't say that and surely didn't intend that in my post. The allegations regarding Summitt appear to be relevant to Jennings' complaint against Hart. My point is that Jennings must feel uncomfortable including Summitt's condition and retirement in her lawsuit and would prefer not to have to present testimony on the subject in open court.

 

[easttexastrash]

Oh bummer! The suite may raise questions about UTenn as a welcoming place for female athletes. Do you think this will influence recruiting?

Probably no more so than any other lawsuits in the world of WCBB.

Plus, this was a media director, not an athlete. I don't see how that would translate to any prospective athlete.

 

[alexrgct]

Probably no more so than any other lawsuits in the world of WCBB.

Plus, this was a media director, not an athlete. I don't see how that would translate to any prospective athlete.

Let me preface this with the notion that I don't buy that the lawsuit is all that legit.

However, if the details as stated by the plaintiff were accurate, the lawsuit is quite relevant to a prospective recruit, as it calls into question whether and how Tennessee will continue to support women's athletics in the future. Again, of the allegations were true, and I'm skeptical.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

To me, it seems there may be some merit in her case, as indicated above, at least enough to get it settled without trial.

As to the Pat Summitt piece of it, the one thing to bear in mind is that it was time. From some non-emotional standpoint, she was at the "gots to go" point.

I hope she realized it and did it on her own terms, but who knows. Clearly, she still appears quite functional - if not what she once was - and did deserve that.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

However, if the details as stated by the plaintiff were accurate, the lawsuit is quite relevant to a prospective recruit, as it calls into question whether and how Tennessee will continue to support women's athletics in the future. Again, of the allegations were true, and I'm skeptical.

It may indeed seem that way to a prospective recruit, but I don't think it should.

We should not lose sight of the background to this whole affair, the ending of a separate Women's Athletic Department / AD (which was Joan Cronin, if you recollect). It should be no surprise that the Men's side was more dominant in the "merger", but it inherently creates an appearance of inequity. I don't doubt that Jennings felt - rightfully or wrongly - disrespected. What really went down is he-said / she-said stuff.

Ultimately, very few universities have separate athletic departments, hence the fact that Tennessee no longer does should not impact the recruit. Incidently, Tennessee is quite successful in Volleyball and Softball, as well as Women's Basketball.

 

[speedoo]

Hmmm, I wouldn't say that and surely didn't intend that in my post. The allegations regarding Summitt appear to be relevant to Jennings' complaint against Hart. My point is that Jennings must feel uncomfortable including Summitt's condition and retirement in her lawsuit and would prefer not to have to present testimony on the subject in open court.

From my very uninformed point of view, the relevance of Summit's situation to Jennings' lawsuit is not at all clear. When I have time, I'll try to get caught up, but frankly it's not a priority for me.

 

[vtcwbuff]

There was a lot of discussion about this on the Summitt before they went dark. I read quite a few of the articles and interviews and came away thinking that Jennings got canned because she publicly expressed her displeasure about the new single AD situation. Apparently, some of what she said, including her opinion that Summitt was forced to leave, was considered disrespectful by the new AD so she got the boot.

Eventually, somebody will throw some money (most of which will go to her lawyers) at her and it will all go away.

I am curious about the ADA argument though. How would Summitt's be protected by the ADA ?

 

[JS]

I am curious about the ADA argument though. How would Summitt's be protected by the ADA ?

We have some people around here who might be equipped to answer better as specialists in employment law, but here's my take.

I think an allegation that the University violated the ADA (assuming it forced Summitt out) would be rather conclusory on the plaintiff's part. The Americans With Disabilities Act would protect someone from being fired on account of her disability IF she could still do the job with or without accommodations.

Not all people with Alzheimer’s disease will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. There are zillions of possible accommodations that might be efficacious, depending on the stage of the illness and the nature of the job. Some of those already appear to have been made during Summitt's later years as as head coach.

But if plaintiff is making a whistle-blower argument -- that she was fired for arguing that it would be illegal to fire someone else -- that gets into another area.

Maybe she wouldn't have to prove that she was right on the law (in effect, having to go through two court proceedings) but only that she was plausibly urging compliance with the law -- in response to which the evil employer, bent on lawbreaking and not appreciating the advice from the peanut gallery, gave her the boot.