Fresno, Calif. – A former Fresno State volleyball coach was awarded $5.85 million Monday by a jury that ruled the school discriminated against her for speaking up on behalf of female athletes.
Lindy Vivas was fired in 2004, two years after coaching her team to its best season in history. University officials said Vivas was let go because she did not meet performance goals.
The 50-year-old coach sued, saying her contract wasn’t renewed because she advocated for equal treatment of women athletes and access to facilities on the campus.
The jury award took into account Vivas’ back wages, future lost pay and emotional distress.
University officials said they feared publicity had influenced the outcome of the trial and planned to appeal the case “on a variety of grounds.”
COLLEGES
Missouri’s Grimes suspended
Missouri senior forward Kalen Grimes, the Tigers’ leading rebounder last season, was suspended indefinitely for violating basketball team policy.
Joe Pasternack, an assistant coach at California since 2001, was hired as New Orleans men’s basketball coach.
BASEBALL
Investigation held up by prosecutors
Federal prosecutors said they did not give baseball steroids investigator George Mitchell complete copies of affidavits implicating players in the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Responding to applications filed by The Associated Press and Hearst Corp. in cases in Arizona and New York, prosecutors urged a judge to keep under seal the names of the players identified in sworn statements signed by IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco filed papers opposing the attempts by the AP and Hearst seeking unredacted copies of search warrant affidavits. The U.S. attorney said both motions were a “thinly veiled attempt to benefit financially” by publicizing the names of people involved in the government’s steroid probe and does not serve a public need.
NHL
Canucks sign two defensemen
The Vancouver Canucks signed defenseman Kevin Bieksa to an $11.25 million, three-year contract extension through the 2010-11 season and added former Avalanche player and free-agent defenseman Aaron Miller.
The Dallas Stars signed free-agent winger Todd Fedoruk to a one-year, $875,000 contract.
The Detroit Red Wings agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran forward Dallas Drake, 38, who had been placed on waivers last month by St. Louis.
NBA
Heat’s Walker robbed at gunpoint
Miami Heat forward Antoine Walker’s home in Chicago was robbed Monday, the player’s agent said.
Police and witnesses said two offenders held Walker and at least one other person at gunpoint during the robbery, Chicago broadcasters reported from the scene in the city’s River North neighborhood.
Walker’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed the incident took place and that Walker was OK.
Atlanta signed first-round draft picks Al Horford and Acie Law to multiyear contracts.
Horford, the No. 3 pick from Florida, will earn $3.121 million as a rookie and $3.35 million in his second year. The first two years are guaranteed, and the Hawks have options for the third and fourth seasons.
Law, the No. 11 pick, is guaranteed salaries of $1.605 million as a rookie and $1.726 million in his second year.
The New Jersey Nets signed Sean Williams, the 17th pick in the draft. He will earn $1,180,500 his rookie year.
FOOTNOTES
Upon further review, Busch car OK
NASCAR said the springs it confiscated from the No. 5 Busch Series Chevrolet of Kyle Busch after Saturday’s race at Daytona International Speedway were legal.
Top prize at the 2007 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas will be about $8.25 million based on the 6,358 players who have entered the no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em main event over the tournament’s four starting days.
Midfielder Dwayne De Rosario signed a two-year extension that keeps him under contract with the MLS Houston Dynamo through the 2010 season.
