Schweyen, UM settle for $350,000
The University of Montana and former Lady Griz basketball coach Shannon Schweyen have reached a $350,000 settlement stemming from the end of her tenure at UM, 406mtsports.com reported Wednesday.
In October, Schweyen lost her discrimination suit against UM, filed after the school did not renew her contract following the 2019-20 season. She appealed that ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which led to mediation. Both parties filed a motion to dismiss on April 22.
The settlement was approved last month, according to state records publicly available online.
“I am pleased we were able to resolve my case of discrimination against the University of Montana," Schweyen expressed in a Wednesday text message to the Missoulian’s Bill Speltz. "I devoted my life to the sport of basketball and the University of Montana, and I hope the University of Montana devotes itself to making necessary changes within its athletic department and throughout the university as a whole.
"I believe discrimination and unfairness can be avoided if the right people and policies are in place to promote an equal opportunity to all. I am glad to put this chapter behind me and focus on my future and my family. Mike Petrino testified he never saw me ever mistreat a player."
Schweyen, arguably the greatest player in Montana Lady Griz history and a longtime assistant for Robin Selvig, was hired to succeed him following his retirement in 2016. Her record in four seasons was 52-69.
After a 17-13 season in 2019-20, Kent Haslam at first talked of a contract extension with Schweyen. But after that March 12 meeting, two players entered the transfer portal, two others told Haslam of their plans to transfer if Schweyen returned, and a fifth registered concerns.
In not renewing her contract, Haslam pointed to numerous examples of complaints from players and parents, and of athletes transferring or threatening to transfer if she returned.
She filed suit in November 2021, alleging a violation of Title VII of the Civic Rights Act of 1964, and that her pay didn’t align with that of head coach Travis DeCuire.
In an email, Schweyen pointed to supportive depositions on her behalf by Petrino, who succeeded her as interim Lady Griz coach and is now an assistant with the Boise State women's team, and former Lady Griz standout Jamie Pickens, who has gone on to become a star at Carroll College.