A former head basketball coach at Fordham University claims in a $1.5 million lawsuit he was discriminated against by college chiefs – because he coached women.
Kevin Morris, of Boonton, N.J., who coached the Fordham women’s team for nine years, says his salary topped out at $70,000 – compared to the men’s coach, who collected more than $250,000 a year despite having less experience.
“This was intentional discrimination, based on gender by association,” Morris’ lawyer Peter Cresci said last night.
“The college intentionally failed to pay a salary commensurate with his experience, expertise and qualifications.”
The discrimination extended to assistant coaches on the women’s team who were paid $11,000 less than their counterparts on the men’s team, and to the female team, which received $35,000 less in travel allowances and $30,000 less for equipment and uniforms, the suit says.
Morris, 38, who is now coaching the Rutgers Newark women’s team, parted ways with Fordham in March 2000 after several average seasons even though, he says, he posted more wins in his first three seasons with the team than any other coach in the Atlantic 10 program.
The suit, filed in Manhattan federal court yesterday, said the discrimination hampered Morris’ career and ability to succeed by limiting his resources to recruit players and coaches and to travel.
Fordham University president Rev. Joseph O’Hare was named as a defendant in the suit. Calls late yesterday to the college were not returned.