“EXPECT LAWSUITS, LITIGATION, CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS” – A Sonoma State University coach told Doug Dodds on KSRO Saturday.
The group of SSU coaches filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of minority athletes to challenge cuts to athletic department at SSU. In a press release sent to KSRO, the Save Seawolves Athletics group, spearheaded by SSU coaches, announced Saturday that it has filed a federal civil rights complaint alleging that the planned elimination of the athletics department will disproportionately affect minority students. The group filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. They called for an investigation into the proposed cuts that have “unfairly targeted a student body that is notably diverse, creating a disparate impact on students from underrepresented communities”
the coaches said they intend to file a class action lawsuit against the university and pursue lobbying efforts with local and state government to try to save the 11 athletic programs that are set to be cut. They also hope to enlist the faculty union and will push for more transparency on the budgetary and decision-making process that led to the cuts, which university officials say were prompted by a $23 million budget deficit. Ben Ziemer, longtime assistant men’s soccer coach, said coaches have already contacted lawyers to request university records via public records access laws in anticipation of a class action lawsuit on behalf of the over 200 student-athletes and dozens faculty affected by the cuts.
UPDATE: The lobbying effort by SSU coaches is bearing fruit . Assemblymember Damon Connolly ( who represents Sonoma County) posted this on X :
