Former Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach MaChelle Joseph has filed a lawsuit against the school athletic association, the university and state officials, alleging gender-based discrimination, hostile work environment and breach of contract, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Joseph was fired four months ago after a report found that she had been abusive toward her team, but the suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, alleges that the report itself was part of an effort by administrators to avoid renegotiating her contract.
Joseph’s complaint describes a number of instances that would in theory violate Title IX, the law that requires equitable resources and opportunities for male and female student-athletes. Joseph complained that the facilities, the salary pool for assistant coaches, team travel, and institutional support in the form of marketing and publicity for her program compared unfavorably to the resources provided to the men’s team. In addition, Joseph’s suit suggests that she was treated with hostility when she raised concerns about her team getting equal resources, and was singled out for behavior that her male peers would not have been, according to the AJC.
Outgoing school president G.P. “Bud” Peterson, AD Todd Stansbury, associate ADs Marvin Lewis and Shoshanna Engel, and the state board of regents are each named as defendants in the suit.
Joseph is requesting a jury trial, and seeks damages for economic loss, damage to professional reputation, and pain and suffering, on top of punitive damages and attorney fees.
