The former San Jose State University track and cross-country coach filed a $2.25 million wrongful termination suit against the school last month in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
Specifically, plaintiff Ron Davis, a 72-year-old African-American, alleged that SDSU’s decision to terminate his contract after one year was racially biased.
Davis, a member of the Spartans’ Sports Hall of Fame, was hired in 2012 to restore the Spartans track and cross-country programs. Instead, the cross-country team finished last at the Western Athletic Conference championships last season.
In May 2013, the school announced that it would not renew Davis’ one year contract. Reportedly, San Jose State announced the hiring of another coach two days after making the announcement. Shortly thereafter, Davis’ attorney, Waukeen McCoy, announced that Davis planned to file a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the school. “We tried to resolve the issue prior to this point, but they [SJSU] have flatly refused to deal with us,” McCoy told the media.
In his lawsuit, Davis claimed the decision not to renew the contract was racially biased, which would be a violation of the California labor law. He further alleged that Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier mounted a campaign to oust Davis and caused emotional distress that led to heart tests and a recent stroke.
The school released the following statement: “This is a personnel matter that we cannot discuss publicly other than to say the university has strict policies against discrimination and retaliation, and the university denies in the strongest terms any allegations that it discriminated or retaliated against Ron Davis in any way and for any reason. The terms of Mr. Davis’ contract were honored and fulfilled. His one-year appointment expired and was not renewed.”
