Dixon Files Federal Lawsuit Against Texas Southern Univ.

HOUSTON - Former Texas Southern University women's basketball coach Surina Dixon filed a federal lawsuit against the school in Houston on Wednesday alleging gender discrimination as the reason she was fired in 2008.

Dixon was hired in March of 2008 by interim athletics director Johnnie Cole and was fired three months later by Charles McClelland, who replaced Cole.

In her lawsuit, Dixon states that she "brings this action against TSU for gender discrimination and retaliating against her after she complained about gender discrimination and advocating for gender equity in TSU's athletic department."

Dixon said in the lawsuit that she brings the case against TSU under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which mandates equitable pay for females holding similiar positions as their male counterparts.

Dixon's lawsuit points out that she was offered only a one-year contract that would pay her $75,000 a year while TSU men's basketball coach Tony Harvey was given a five-year deal that pays him $150,000 a year.

"In order to make sure that Surina's rights were fully protected, there are certain administrative and governmental processes that were pursued and those measures take time." said Todd Slobin, Dixon's attorney, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

"On March 25, 2010, the Department of Justice issued a notice of right to sue under Title VII, and we promptly filed Mrs. Dixon's lawsuit (Wednesday) to pursue her Title VII claims. It is our goal to doggedly pursue these claims before a judge and jury in Houston, Texas. We look forward to helping Mrs.Dixon."

Slobin points out the notice of right to sue from the Department of Justice allows his client to pursue a legal claim against TSU.

In March of 2008, Slobin withdrew a federal lawsuit against TSU filed on behalf of Dixon stating then he did not want to discuss his legal strategy, but promised there was more to come.

The current lawsuit does not ask for a specific dollar amount. However, the lawsuit states Dixon is looking to recover back pay and equitable relief or fair renumeration.

"I have not seen the lawsuit as of yet, but the first lawsuit was dismissed," said McClelland in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "The facts of the case have not changed.

"Therefore I am extremely confident that Texas Southern University has followed all local, state, and federal laws and NCAA rules and regulations."