EMPORIA, Kan. (WIBW) – Former Emporia State head soccer coach Bryan Sailer has filed a federal lawsuit against the university.
According to a report from KVOE, Sailer’s lawsuit against Emporia State addresses concerns about gender equity. The lawsuit was based on the team’s playing conditions as well as strength and conditioning.
KVOE reports that Sailer says in the lawsuit that the soccer pitch was unusable during at least part of the 2023 season. That meant Emporia State’s soccer team had to use a high school field. Sailer added that the field conditions were neglected for over a year.
Sailer says that he previously mentioned his concerns to Director of Athletics David Spafford, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Internal Relations and Senior Women’s Administrator Colleen Mischke and President Ken Hush.
Multiple alleged issues were addressed in the lawsuit. The lawsuit mentions the university and Spafford as defendants. According to KVOE, it says Sailer’s Title IX rights were violated and requested over $75,000 in damages for:
KVOE states that the university has not been served with paperwork and that Emporia State will typically not comment on pending litigation. A hearing date has not been posted.
Sailer led Emporia State from 2011-2023. Sailer is the winningest coach in program history with a record of 121-87-34. He was terminated in December 2023 and was replaced by Jane Grimley-Gunn in February 2024.
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