South Carolina State's Audra Smith Fired After Filing Title IX Lawsuit Against School
Feb 26, 2022
FILE - Then-Clemson coach Audra Smith shouts instructions to her team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Louisville, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. South Carolina State women's basketball coach Audra Smith was fired Thursday, Feb. 14, 2022, a day after she sued the school in federal court alleging Title IX violations and discriminatory practices at the university. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
Former South Carolina State women's basketball head coach Audra Smith filed a Title IX lawsuit against the school in federal court Wednesday, citing "Title IX violations and discriminatory practices at the university," per Pete Iacobelli of the Associated Press (h/t Charlotte Observer).
One day later, the school fired her.
A release from South Carolina State on Thursday stated the school decided to "end the contract" of Smith "effective immediately."
"We would like to thank Coach Smith for her dedication to our student-athletes and for the hard work she has committed to the women's basketball program," athletic director Stacy Danley said. "We wish her and her family well."
Smith was in her fourth year. She has also been the head coach at UAB (2004-2013) and Clemson (2013-2018).
Smith filed the lawsuit to obtain a response from the university to a Freedom of Information Act request Smith filed in January. She initially asked for information concerning whether the school "gave more resources to male athletes, coaches and teams than to its women's programs, players and coaches," per Iacobelli.
Samantha Albrecht, Smith's attorney, said the lawsuit's purpose was "to remedy professional wrongs done to our named client for years of being disadvantaged by systemic sex-based discrimination."
Another of Smith's attorneys, Paul Porter, said the firing was "unlawful, retaliatory, and it invites more legal action."
Sam Watson, a spokesperson for South Carolina State, wrote in an email to the AP that the school "cannot comment on pending or current litigation."
South Carolina St. Player Receives CPR After Collapsing on Sideline vs. NC State
Dec 2, 2017
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 29: (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image.) A view of a shot as the basketball goes through the hoop for a good basket during pre-game warmups before the start of NBA game action between the Toronto Raptors and the Charlotte Hornets at Air Canada Centre on November 29, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
A South Carolina State men's basketball player was given CPR and stretchered off the court after he collapsed on the sideline during Saturday's game against NC State at PNC Arena in Raleigh.
The player was guard Tyvoris Solomon, per ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman. Gary Parrish of CBS Sports reported the redshirt senior was revived.
The official Twitter account for NC State men's basketball announced the game was delayed by a medical emergency.
According to Pack Pride, Solomon was lying on the ground and unresponsive. After receiving CPR, he was loaded onto a stretcher, and the teams left the court, per Pack Pride.
South Carolina State head coach Murray Garvin traveled with Solomon to the hospital and said Solomon was "awake and responding," per Goodman. "Garvin also said that Solomon's heart stopped and he was resuscitated by South Carolina State's athletic trainer."
The Wolfpacker tweeted a photo of players praying while Solomon was being tended to:
While medical personnel were working on Solomon, his mother could reportedly be heard screaming, according to Pack Pride:
South Carolina State coaches and players are crying on the sidelines. EMT crew waiting for player to respond. Player's mother also screaming, "Oh my God don't die!" Terrifying scene here at PNC Arena.
