Mizzou settles defamation lawsuit with South Carolina women’s basketball coach

Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk and South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley have come to an agreement in regards to a defamation lawsuit filed in February.

Mizzou announced on Thursday it “has settled a lawsuit brought against its Director of Athletics, Jim Sterk, by South Carolina Head Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley for $50,000. One half of the settlement will be paid to Staley’s non-profit foundation, INNERSOLE, and the other half of the settlement to her attorney.”

Jim Sterk released this statement:

“Following a very spirited and intense game I attended in late January between the nationally ranked Missouri and South Carolina women’s basketball teams, I made comments in a local radio interview that were construed to suggest that Coach Staley promoted the negative experiences of racial epithets and spitting. I do not believe Coach Staley would promote such conduct, and I sincerely apologize to her for those comments.”

Dawn Staley released this statement.

“I accept his apology and I appreciate the contribution of $25,000 to INNERSOLE, a not for profit organization I co-founded that provides new sneakers to children who are homeless or in need. I’m glad we can share in support of this worthy cause and I look forward to moving past this with a continued spirited but positive competition amongst our programs.”

The University of Missouri will pay the lawsuit settlement. A release from MU said this is because Sterk made his comments in good faith while performing his duties as a University employee.

On Thursday, Sterk also addressed his continued concerns about the alleged incidents during, before and after the Mizzou women’s basketball game against South Carolina on Jan. 28.

Sterk said, “Immediately after the game, several of our student-athletes and staff shared with me experiences they encountered before, during and after our game at South Carolina, including incidents of being spit on, a racial epithet, and other derogatory comments. Those actions have no place at any sporting event, and I’m truly sorry that our student-athletes and staff had to endure that type of treatment.”

Sterk added, “My concerns about those incidents continue. I appreciate that the Southeastern Conference takes seriously the reports of our student-athletes about inappropriate language and actions directed at them, as well as their efforts to engage in a review of game management issues with South Carolina, which I understand is ongoing.”

More from Sterk:

“All of us, Mizzou and South Carolina included, have obligations to promote a respectful environment for all student-athletes to compete in. It is my sincere hope that we continue to encourage appropriate behavior at all college sporting events. We must condemn that type of negative behavior wherever it might occur and take steps to ensure that no team has to endure type of hostile behavior moving forward. I hope that efforts following the January 28 game will move us toward those goals.”

MU Chancellor Alexander Cartwright also released a statement:

“Jim and his team have done a great job over the last two years, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with him. Additionally, we pledge our support to creating better environments for our athletic competitors and fans, to root for our players and teams, and to end the games respectfully.”