ABSTRACT
The analysis of Fresno State's gender discrimination and Title IX lawsuits reveals two central themes in intercollegiate sports: the sports are a harbor for gender inequity, and there are negative ramifications for colleges and universities when these institutions lack control of their intercollegiate athletics. Stacy Johnson-Klein, Fresno State's former women's basketball coach, was fired mid-season in 2005. Johnson-Klein sued Fresno State for disparate treatment, a hostile work environment, and retaliation for her complaints over inequity for women's athletics. In many higher education settings, athletic departments function unlike other academic departments. The Fresno State cases also highlight the lack of institutional control over intercollegiate athletics. Despite federal and state laws mandating gender equity in college sports, the majority of collegiate sports environments continue to serve as a harbor for gender inequity due to the limited commitment on the part of key stakeholders in collegiate sports and at the institutions.
