Federal lawsuit alleges that decision to end football program caused players to suffer damages that include “the indignity of discrimination” and “severe anxiety about their future.”
According to news reports, eleven African-American football players have filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Phoenix because of the decision by Maricopa Community College to eliminate its football program. In their lawsuit, the players allege that cutting the football program violates federal law because it disproportionately affects African-American students, who make up 62 percent of team rosters.
The lawsuit claims the 11 players accepted scholarships to play football with the hope of furthering their education and going on to get scholarships to four-year universities. However, because they are unable to play the sport at junior colleges after the 2018 season this may leave them unable to pursue four-year degrees.
A detailed analysis of the history of this dispute may be found on-line at azentral.com by clicking here.