COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is suing Missouri’s athletic director, saying he slandered her when he suggested she created an atmosphere that encouraged fans to spit on his players and use racial slurs.
Staley’s lawsuit filed Thursday in Richland County asks for no more than $75,000 in damages from Jim Sterk for disparaging her reputation.
Missouri officials said they planned to comment on the lawsuit later Thursday.
The problems started the day after South Carolina’s 64-54 win at home on Jan. 28. The teams have played three tough, physical games in a row, and Sterk said in a radio interview the latest game had an unhealthy atmosphere.
“We had players spit on, and called the N-word and things like that. It was not a good environment and unfortunately, I think coach Staley promoted that kind of atmosphere,” Sterk said on KTGR radio.