|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 2, 2020 14:58:03 GMT -5
I'm assuming HC can (and will) appeal this decision on their MTD. Perhaps they'll be some settlement talks after that appeal (if some claims survive). The college will know for sure it is otherwise going to jury trial....and the plaintiff (BG) will know it is not easy to prevail at jury trial and there is always an issue with damages. So both sides might soon see an increased advantage to settling. (I'm not a lawyer but I've been peripherally involved with several employment discrimination lawsuits.) From reading the newspaper article, the college's motion to dismiss went to three of Gibbon's claims. There was no MTD on six or seven other claims, Of the three claims where there was a MTD, the judge granted two, including the age discrimination one. IMO, the age discrimination complaint was central to his belief that he was being railroaded out for a new coach who would receive significantly less compensation than him. He specifically stated that there was an unspecified budgetary shortfall in the program, and suggested getting rid of him was a way of making up the shortfall. Most of the remaining claims involve emotional distress. I recall there is one claim that the college denied him due process by not allowing him to review the suspension determination before it was signed. << That's a stretch.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Feb 2, 2020 15:17:49 GMT -5
If the in game substitution incident never occured and HC did not renew the contract at the end of the season, what are the chances of an age discrimination suit bring filed anyway?
|
|
|
Post by CHC8485 on Feb 2, 2020 15:19:53 GMT -5
I have no idea how Gibbons can claim that "the school, by failing to provide the public with the nature of the allegations promptly, “intentionally and recklessly created a false impression” that the suspension was related to allegations of sexual assault. Here's the first release from Holy Cross on the suspension issues January 31, 2019. goholycross.com/news/2019/1/31/211788635.aspxNow, sure sexual harassment is not sexual assault, but was anyone seriously thinking OK, he didn't sexually harass someone he must have sexually assaulted someone?? Very doubtful in my mind.
|
|
|
Post by newfieguy74 on Feb 2, 2020 15:29:56 GMT -5
I'm a lawyer. I know some members of the Worcester legal community, but don't know any more about this case than any other posters. I doubt that HC will appeal the judge's action on the MTD. Interlocutory appeals (appeals done before the case is completely over) are disfavored and are usually a waste of time. The parties will now do discovery: depositions, interrogatories, etc. I can't imagine that either side wants this to go to trial and my guess is that it won't. It's all unfortunate. As a fan I thought that BG, while deserving much credit for his success with the program, had become ineffective and that it was time for a change. Whether he was mistreated by the school I can't say.
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Feb 2, 2020 16:21:01 GMT -5
What I believe we can say is that, in light of this lawsuit, the possibility of any future contact of BG with HC, or recognition of BG's accomplishments at HC by the college is now gone.
|
|
|
Post by Crucis#1 on Feb 2, 2020 16:46:55 GMT -5
BG really missed the mark by not making the decision to retire after winning 600 games. He would have left the position with good will, and could have been reassigned to a position in the Crusader Athletics Fund. If after a year, with his contacts in the coaching community, he probably could have found another job either coaching or consulting with a national firm.
|
|
|
Post by sader1970 on Feb 2, 2020 17:40:10 GMT -5
Bill seems to have (still?) felt that he was like a tenured professor. He wasn't. He is a good guy and was a very good coach. Those days passed him by many years ago even before his 600th win but Crucis is absolutely spot on. Had Bill retired, he would have remained a hero among many in HC sports.
Like many top athletes who stay well after they have lost their game, Bill stayed too long.
If they had fired him, I might have had a tad more sympathy for him. They non-renewed his contract.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Feb 2, 2020 17:50:55 GMT -5
Mike Eruzione ( captain 1980 US Olympic Hockey team) is now the Director of Special Outreach at BU, which is fundraising combined with some community relations. BG was probably the most familiar official at HC in the Worcester Community. He would have been effective with both alumni and Community since about half the living alumni knew him as a coach when they were students.
|
|
|
Post by purplehaze on Feb 2, 2020 19:34:25 GMT -5
Agree with these latest posts - BG had some control of the way things worked out - for some reason he thought he was doing a good job and should fight the school legally with no appreciation of the school staying with him through the last 15 mediocre years I hope the school prevails
|
|
|
Post by joutsHC77 on Feb 8, 2020 14:12:15 GMT -5
Interesting that you mentioned minority players being deposed. Have you noticed how few that have been on the HC team over the years. It will be interesting to read your observations, particularly in regards to other teams in the Patriot and Ivy Leagues. Also, what is the definition of minority in this context? There are additional categories beyond skin color. Some that are not apparent to the average fan.This includes family socioeconomic status, gender identification, etc. That’s all HC needs-gender identification-as its next controversy. Just wait, a male will say he’s female and demand to compete on a woman’s team.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Feb 8, 2020 15:08:54 GMT -5
All of the WBB players appear to identify as women. They all seem to get along without any big strife between them. The inability to play well together and resolve differences outside a courtroom is at the employee and Administration level. The players are much more mature.
|
|