Fired women’s soccer coach settles lawsuit against Christian college

A Sacramento-area Christian college has settled a two-year-old wrongful termination case brought by its former women's soccer coach.

Jamie Howard claimed she was fired by William Jessup University in response to her complaints about Title IX violations regarding the treatment of men's and women's sports programs, and for ignoring instructions not to recruit a lesbian player. Howard v. William Jessup University, 17CV00756 (E.D. Cal., filed April 10, 2017).

Howard coached the team for a decade until she was fired in 2016. Her complaint cited materials produced by the school noting "The Lady Warriors won the California Pacific Conference five out of the last seven years" while Howard herself was named the conference's coach of the year three times. The program posted a 6-12 record last year without Howard.

"Plaintiff became aware of disparities in the resources provided to, and treatment of, WJU's male sports teams vs. female teams," the complaint stated. "Those disparities include, without limitation, the number and level of scholarships provided, travel and hotel accommodations, equipment and publicity for team activities."

The notice of settlement was filed by both sides on Friday. Terms were not disclosed. Howard's attorney, Sacramento sole practitioner George F. Allen, declined to comment. Attorneys for Jessup University did not return a phone call.

-- Malcolm Maclachlan