South Carolina State University Fires Women’s Basketball Coach After She Files Lawsuit Claiming Discriminatory Practices; Says School Paid Her $30,000 Less Than Male Basketball Coaches

The South Carolina State University‘s women’s basketball team coach was fired after she filed a lawsuit against the school, claiming the college paid her thousands of dollars less than what they paid the male basketball coach, and accused the school of other discriminatory practices.

Audra Smith has worked as South Carolina’s State’s women’s basketball coach for four seasons. On Thursday, the school fired her for suing it for allegedly violating Title IX and conducting other discriminatory practices. The Associated Press reports Smith filed the lawsuit asking for a response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request back in January. She was looking to gain documentation that the school gave more resources to male athletes, coaches and teams than to women’s sports programs, players and coaches.

In addition, Smith says the school paid male basketball coaches $30,000 more than her when she was hired. The news outlet says Smith claims the school gave her fewer resources than the men’s sports program.

On Thursday, the school’s athletic director thanked Smith for her time as a coach.

“We would like to thank Coach Smith for her dedication to our student-athletes and for the hard work she as committed to the women’s basketball program,” wrote the athletic director, Stacy Danley, in a statement.

Earlier this month, Smith says she was given a three-day suspension when a school representative asked her to have the parents of one of her players move from court-level seats to their assigned seats. Smith says she believes she was suspended because she asked about the school’s procedures. The lawsuit is asking for an undisclosed amount of money, the Associated Press reports.