Stanley’s Pay-Discrimination Suit Dismissed

Marianne Stanley’s pay-discrimination suit against USC was dismissed Thursday when a federal judge granted the school a summary judgment, effectively saying there were no grounds to continue.

Stanley, the USC women’s basketball coach until the summer of 1993, sued the school after contract negotiations ended bitterly. She alleged gender discrimination because she was offered a yearly salary less than men’s coach George Raveling, who has since resigned. Stanley, who is working in marketing for the Stanford women’s program, is expected to appeal the decision by Los Angeles District Court Judge John G. Davies.

“We were hoping justice would be done,” said Robert Bell, Stanley’s attorney. “We want to see what the judge said before we see what grounds we can appeal.”

Davies did not file a written opinion with the court Thursday, but alerted both parties of his decision. The two-year-old case, closely watched by colleges across the country, was scheduled to begin trial Tuesday.

“It’s good news,” said Mike Garrett, USC athletic director. “I’m tired of being in court.”

Since replacing Mike McGee as athletic director in 1993, Garrett has faced two suits, including Stanley’s. The other, involving former assistant athletic director Marvin Cobb, ended with a judge overturning a jury award for the plaintiff. Cobb is seeking a new trial.