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Amended lawsuit seeks $10-million from USF

Attorney: "They're not taking us seriously or they're disregarding any decent instincts. Maybe money will move them.''

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 3, 2001

TAMPA -- In an amended racial discrimination lawsuit filed Thursday, a former University of South Florida women's basketball player is seeking $10-million from, among others, school president Judy Genshaft and the USF Foundation.

Attorney Jonathan Alpert said the seven other players he represents will similarly amend their federal lawsuits and perhaps others will file actions, producing as much as a $100-million class that he hopes will draw the attention and perhaps the intervention of Florida education commissioner Charlie Crist or even Gov. Jeb Bush.

"I'd like to see somebody call me and say, "Let's sit down and discuss this; what exactly happened,' " he said. "That would be the beginning of a dialogue. You can't forgive until there's ownership and responsibility. It's just that simple."

Genshaft had not seen the new suit and could not comment on the specifics, but through a spokesman said that she is "committed to diversity and won't tolerate discrimination. The USF Foundation shares that commitment."

Alpert said her deeds don't back up those words.

"The girls have been hurt; the girls have been hurt badly and USF has shown no interest in helping them," Alpert said. "(USF) refused to redress their grievances. It's refused even to speak to them. It's refused basic human compassion. ... We are now appealing to people that have the power to do justice."

Since August, eight players have filed federal lawsuits against women's coach Jerry Ann Winters and USF, alleging racial discrimination. Winters was subsequently fired and athletic director Paul Griffin was forced to resign. Each remained a defendant in the amended suit.

Alpert said he's still early in the discovery process. The first notices to third-party witnesses for depositions went out Thursday. Genshaft is tentatively scheduled to be deposed in September.

The eight cases have been set for trial next year, beginning in April with Dione Smith. Alpert said that he tried to settle all eight cases -- none of which sought punitive damages from Genshaft or the Foundation -- quietly for about $300,000 total.

Not anymore.

"They're not taking us seriously or they're disregarding any decent instincts," he said. "Maybe money will move them."

That's one reason he added the Foundation in the amended federal action filed on behalf of Patrice Coleman, 23, a former player. Thursday was the deadline for Alpert to file a response to a motion to dismiss her case.

"The whole thing is sad," Coleman said. "It's sad that Coach Winters had to lose her job. It's sad that Paul Griffin had to lose his job. It's sad that I have to sue for $10-million."

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