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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.
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