Gender equity lawsuit filed by Quinnipiac University volleyball team is granted class status

Class status granted in Conn. volleyball lawsuit

HARTFORD, Conn. — A federal judge has granted class action status to a lawsuit filed by members of Quinnipiac (KWIHN’-uh-pee-ak) University’s volleyball team alleging gender discrimination in the school’s athletic programs.

The ruling means if the judge finds Title IX violations he could order remedies for all current and future female athletes at the Connecticut school, not just the five who sued.

Title IX is the federal law mandating equal opportunities for female athletes.

Quinnipiac last year sought to drop volleyball and add women’s cheerleading as a sport, prompting the lawsuit from several players and volleyball coach Robin Sparks.

The volleyball team was reinstated after Judge Stephen Underhill issued a temporary injunction, but settlement talks were unsuccessful.

A message seeking comment was left with the school’s attorney on Monday.