Sex Bias Suit Filed

Thu., Jan. 21, 1999

A lawsuit drafted by Renee Smith, a rookie law student angry that she was denied a spot on her college volleyball team, will help the Supreme Court answer whether the NCAA is subject to federal discrimination laws.

The NCAA told the court that a key anti-bias law guaranteeing federal protection against sex discrimination in most schools does not apply to it.

“The NCAA is an association of its members and its members … receive federal money. The NCAA does not,” argued the tax-exempt organization’s lawyer, John G. Roberts Jr.

Roberts said a federal appeals court was wrong when it ruled that the NCAA is an indirect recipient of federal aid because it collects dues from its 1,200 member schools.

The federal law known as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 applies only to educational programs receiving federal money.

If the court allows Smith to continue her lawsuit, the NCAA could be on the hook in a host of other discrimination lawsuits based on race or disability.

The NCAA argues that individual universities are fair game for discrimination complaints, but said it is a step removed.

Smith, 26, sued in federal court after the NCAA said she was ineligible for the volleyball teams at two schools where she did postgraduate work.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Sex Bias Suit Filed

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

John Stockton, Grant Hill among Hall of Famers presenting Mark Few at enshrinement ceremony

How will Gonzaga replace Mario Saint-Supery? Examining five avenues Mark Few's coaching staff could pursue

Gonzaga whacked by Saint-Supery departure but remains a (narrow) favorite over Utah State | Pac-12 projections