Trial in discrimination

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LAFAYETTE, La. --Former University of Louisiana-Lafayette head football coach Jerry Baldwin's lawsuit against the university over his 2001 firing is set for trial Oct. 9, now that racial discrimination accusations have been re-instated by a state appeal court.

Baldwin, who is black, was fired from the university in 2001. He has since filed state and federal lawsuits claiming racial discrimination and breach of contract. The suits were consolidated and a state court eventually threw out the racial discrimination charges.

But the state 1st Circuit Court of Appeal ruled earlier this month that the state district court should not have thrown out the accusation. Baldwin established possible grounds to procede with the discrimination case, although ULL also "came forth with seemingly legitimate and nondiscriminatory reasons" for Baldwin's firing, the appeal court said.

Some of the reasons ULL gave for Baldwin's termination included three losing seasons under the coach's watch and drops in game attendance that caused a "budget crisis."

Baldwin claimed discrimination because he was treated differently than prior coaches and his replacement, Rickey Bustle. When Bustle was hired, the university offered him more resources including a marketing director and fundraiser to turn the program around, Baldwin charged.

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The appeal court decision in Baldwin's case.

http://www.la-fcca.org/Opinions/PUB2007/2007-05/2006CA0961May2007.Pu b.11.pdf

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Information from: The Advertiser, http://www.acadiananow.com

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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