Former University of Nevada women's soccer coach Terri Patraw has filed suit against Nevada athletic director Cary Groth, school president Milton Glick, school counsel Mary Dugan and the University of Nevada over her release as the program's coach.
Details of the suit filed in Washoe County District Court were released on Thursday night. Patraw was released from her contract as coach by the school right before this season began in late August.
In her suit, Patraw states she complained about discriminatory treatment against students and players involved in her program to her immediate supervisor. Patraw also stated she believed that her immediate supervisor relayed her complaints to Groth.
Patraw claims that based on these complaints that Groth decided to fire her. Patraw then states in the suit that she reported what had happened to Glick and Dugan and that neither took any action. In her suit, Patraw also states that she complained to her immediate supervisor about violations of NCAA regulations at the school. The suit states that Patraw believes Groth was concerned that she would take these concerns about violations of NCAA regulations outside the school and that was another reason for her firing.
The suit also claims that Groth made false and defamatory statements about Patraw and gave mixed signals to parents of players, students, faculty, administrators and the media when talking about the reasons for her firing.
Such statements by Groth, the suit alleges, included "Things came up that I can't talk about," that Patraw was "leaving," that Patraw had "resigned." The suit also said the term "philosophical differences" was also used by Groth.
The most damaging statement made by Groth alleged by the suit is that "Terri's not your friend and she's going to take us all down."
There's also a claim in the suit that Patraw was treated differently than male coaches and was subjected to sexual harrassment.
The suit claims that as a result of Groth's actions, Patraw suffered emotional distress, mental anguish, harm to reputation, humiliation and harm to career.
The suit was filed on behalf of Patraw by attorney Jeffrey Dickerson. The suit doesn't state an amount of money in damages that is sought. But the suit states Patraw is seeking "past and future general damages, including lost wages, benefits and seniority, all in sums to be proved at trial."
Patraw said any questions should be directed to Dickerson. Attempts to reach Dickerson and Groth on Thursday night were unsuccessful.