Alumni Couple Sues Eastern Michigan Over Sports Cuts

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A husband and wife are suing Eastern Michigan University's president, athletic director and board of regents, claiming their alma mater violated Michigan's Open Meetings Act when it announced March 20 that it was eliminating men's wrestling and swimming and diving, and women's softball and tennis.

According to The Detroit News, Lawyers for Douglas and Mary Willer filed the complaint on May 10, seeking to reinstate the four varsity programs. "In fact, on information and belief, defendants conspired to make their decision to eliminate the four sports in secret and without public comment," the Willers' attorneys wrote in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims public comment was limited to 30 minutes during an April 20 board of regents meeting, which took place a month after the cuts were announced, and none of the advocates for the four eliminated sports were allowed to speak during public comment, despite making requests. The lawsuit claims advocates were told no, "because of the issue of eliminating athletics was not on the agenda."

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