Questions arise concerning change of UC rowing coach
Allegations of Title IX violations considered center of firing
Michael Rovito
Issue date: 1/5/06 Section: News
Some members of the women's rowing team, who have filed a lawsuit against the University of Cincinnati, are questioning an abrupt coaching change at the end of last rowing season that ended with the firing of head coach Tim Royalty.
Speculation over the university's motives behind the termination has arisen among some current and former members of the team. The university, however, vehemently denies any wrongful termination.
"The resignation of the assistant coach and firing of the head coach came about for the very reasons the university is currently being sued for Title IX violations by the women's rowing team," said a source outside the university who wished to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Speaking on behalf of the university, General Counsel Mitchell McCrate maintains Royalty's termination was for reasons other than what has been listed in a current lawsuit against UC.
"His termination had nothing to do with the boathouse and we'll demonstrate that if need be," McCrate said.
McCrate declined to go into detail about the circumstances surrounding Royalty's firing, saying he would not talk about the specifics.
The university was officially served with a class action lawsuit involving current and former members of the women's rowing team shortly before Winter Break. The suit alleges UC has not maintained a fair balance between the sexes in varsity sports and charges that the women's rowing team has been a direct victim of discrimination. The women involved in the suit, according to court documents, want the construction of a long awaited boathouse to take place and feel the team has been left behind in the way of improvements for too long.
Former assistant coach Sandra Gudim, who resigned from UC in May and now works at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., said she has the same suspicions as some on the team.
"In my opinion they had an agenda," Gudim said, referring to various firing in the women's rowing program.
Speculation over the university's motives behind the termination has arisen among some current and former members of the team. The university, however, vehemently denies any wrongful termination.
"The resignation of the assistant coach and firing of the head coach came about for the very reasons the university is currently being sued for Title IX violations by the women's rowing team," said a source outside the university who wished to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Speaking on behalf of the university, General Counsel Mitchell McCrate maintains Royalty's termination was for reasons other than what has been listed in a current lawsuit against UC.
"His termination had nothing to do with the boathouse and we'll demonstrate that if need be," McCrate said.
McCrate declined to go into detail about the circumstances surrounding Royalty's firing, saying he would not talk about the specifics.
The university was officially served with a class action lawsuit involving current and former members of the women's rowing team shortly before Winter Break. The suit alleges UC has not maintained a fair balance between the sexes in varsity sports and charges that the women's rowing team has been a direct victim of discrimination. The women involved in the suit, according to court documents, want the construction of a long awaited boathouse to take place and feel the team has been left behind in the way of improvements for too long.
Former assistant coach Sandra Gudim, who resigned from UC in May and now works at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., said she has the same suspicions as some on the team.
"In my opinion they had an agenda," Gudim said, referring to various firing in the women's rowing program.
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