Fresno State and Head Softball Coach Margie Wright have reached an amicable resolution in her dispute over her past salary, other employment issues, and program and equity concerns, including her March 2004 Office of Civil Rights complaint.

“I am pleased to have put these issues behind me,” said Coach Wright. “I trust the administration’s assurances of support including facilities improvements for the softball program. I look forward to continued success with the Fresno State softball program in the coming years.”

Fresno State Athletics Director Thomas Boeh said he was pleased with the result of the mediation. “Throughout the past three years, the new Athletics staff has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to fostering a new era in Bulldog athletics. It is our hope that with the resolution of Coach Wright’s concerns of the past we may continue to move forward together in a positive direction and to the ultimate benefit of the student-athletes. Coach Wright is a tremendous asset to the athletics program and our community, and we believe it to be important to support this financial resolution that closes those issues for good.”

The resolution calls for the university to make a payment of approximately $157,000 to Coach Wright and a $45,000 payment to her attorneys for their fees and costs. Also, the university will increase the value of Coach Wright’s retirement benefits by providing additional service credit and through the purchase of an annuity for future supplemental payments. The total cost of the settlement is $605,000.

Coach Wright is the wins leader among NCAA Division I softball coaches with 1,307 career victories. Her team won the 1998 Women’s College World Series, Fresno State’s first NCAA National Championship. She has coached the Fresno State softball team to 10 College World Series appearances, 23 consecutive NCAA tournaments and 16 conference titles. Her players have included 15 Olympians, 53 All Americans, 16 Academic All Americans and two NCAA Top XIII award winners.