Wade Charges Racism In Firing; Settlement Nets Him $75,000

John Wade was fired as Eastern Washington men’s basketball coach last week, and will be paid $75,000 by the university as part of a settlement after Wade threatened a lawsuit and alleged racial discrimination.

According to a copy of the seven-page settlement provided by the university, Wade alleged racial discrimination after learning of “reassignment in his employment position.”

Wade’s resignation from the university, announced Thursday, is part of the settlement and becomes official June 30. EWU then has 10 days to pay the $75,000.

Wade, who is black, was in the first year of a three-year contract. The former coach threatened a lawsuit over the remaining two years, according to Wade’s attorney, Carl Maxey.

“We, of course, threatened a lawsuit because he had a three-year contract and the university wanted him to give up the last two years of it,” Maxey said.

Maxey would not discuss the alleged racial discrimination. Wade, reached Monday night for the first time since the resignation was announced, would not discuss details of the situation.

The settlement does not preclude either party from comment on the matter. It also allows both parties to maintain their innocence.

“I just want to get on with my life,” Wade said. “I hope what’s best for the university. I don’t have anything bad to say about anyone.

“I just need to go find a job.”

Wade, 35, wouldn’t address any negative impact his allegation may have on EWU.

“I feel where it’s one of those deals where (The Spokesman-Review) has to go after Eastern,” Wade said. “Everything about Eastern has got to be so negative. That’s sad. It burns me up. I don’t want to be a part of it.”

Ken Dolan, EWU’s executive assistant to the president, wasn’t aware of specific racial allegations.

“He never made anything specific to me,” Dolan said. “We don’t accept any charges of racial discrimination. That was a charge that he made through his attorney.”

Wade was hired May 16, 1990, and compiled a 34-98 record in five seasons at his alma mater. The Eagles never won more than six games in any of the last four seasons, and endured a 29-game losing streak in Big Sky Conference play.

When EWU struggled to a 6-20 record this season, losing 10 straight at one point, athletic director John Johnson thought Wade may resign.

“John had come to me during the season and alluded to maybe thinking about resigning,” Johnson said. “Then, at the end of the season, (he) decided, no, he didn’t want to, which was fine.

“And we met and decided that it was best for all parties that we reassign John. And then at that point, John decided, ‘Well, I didn’t want to be reassigned.’ So he said, ‘Well, I’ll just resign - for a settlement.”’

Johnson said he doesn’t know where the alleged racial discrimination fits in, and had only cursory knowledge of the allegation when he announced Wade’s resignation Thursday. Johnson said he wasn’t aware of discrimination.

“I honestly don’t know,” Johnson said. “John Wade has never responded to me and alleged that the university has engaged in racial discrimination to me or our athletic department.

“On Thursday, I had glanced at the agreement and release and did not understand that part of it. I’m not an attorney. I was surprised to see that.”

The settlement reads, in part, “EWU has given notice to Coach Wade of reassignment in his employment position. Coach Wade has responded by alleging EWU has engaged in racial discrimination in employment. … The entire purpose of this settlement is to compromise any disputed claims that exist between the parties.”

EWU will pay Wade’s salary about $45,000 annually, Dolan said - through June 30, although he is no longer men’s basketball coach. Until then, Wade will perform “duties as assigned by Johnson,” the settlement reads. As for the $75,000, the settlement states Wade will receive a “lump sum.”