Women’s Basketball Coach Fired, Accused Of Discriminating Against Black Players
Tampa, Fla.
University of South Florida’s women’s basketball coach Jerry Ann Winters was fired last month. Winters was accused of mistreating and segregating Black players. The university upheld a finding there was “reasonable cause to believe” a player was dismissed from the team in retaliation for complaints of racial discrimination.
Winters was suspended with pay Oct. 25 after the school found evidence she retaliated against Dione Smith, a junior guard who complained about the way Winters treated Black players.
Winters dismissed Smith from the team last April, saying she did so for “insubordination and disrespect and a lack of communication on her part.”
Smith is one of eight players who have since filed federal lawsuits against Winters, alleging racism (see Black Issues, Oct. 26).
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