SAN FRANCISCO -- Fresno State appealed a jury verdict that awarded millions of dollars to a former women's basketball coach who sued for gender discrimination.
The university filed its appeal Thursday in the case of Stacy Johnson-Klein. She was initially awarded $19.1 million before a judge reduced the amount to $6.62 million.
Johnson-Klein accepted the reduced amount earlier this month, and the university indicated it was looking forward to a resolution.
"I agreed to the lesser verdict hoping the university would agree, so we could all move forward with our lives," Johnson-Klein said in a phone interview. "The community of Fresno deserves closure, and Fresno State deserves closure. Unfortunately, Fresno State is not choosing the appropriate route."
The school's attorney, Dawn Theodora, said the decision to appeal was an effort to keep all legal avenues open after Johnson-Klein refused to enter into mediation.
"If we had not filed an appeal at this time, we would lose our right to argue the legal issues, including the size of the award. The appeal preserves these options," she said.
Three years ago, Johnson-Klein filed suit, saying her bosses sexually harassed her and unfairly retaliated against her because she was outspoken in support of her young players.
The university denied Johnson-Klein's claims, saying the coach was fired because she was abusive to her players, violated NCAA rules and took Vicodin pills she received from a student.
Warren Paboojian, Johnson-Klein's attorney, said the school's decision to appeal provides the opportunity for him to file a cross appeal asking the court to restore the jury's original $19.1 million verdict. He said he would file the cross appeal next week.
Johnson-Klein is the third woman in the school's athletics department to sue for discrimination under Title IX.
Fresno State also is appealing a $4.52 million judgment from a gender discrimination suit filed by former volleyball coach Lindy Vivas. Last year the school agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle a third discrimination lawsuit filed by former athletic administrator Diane Milutinovich.
gambitto 
