JSU seeks new trial or award reduction

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State University is asking for a new trial or for a federal judge to reduce the $382,000 awarded to former women's basketball coach Denise Taylor Travis.

Travis, who used the last name Taylor when she was at JSU, coached at JSU for 10 seasons, from 2001 to 2011, and led the program to the 2008 SWAC Tournament title. Her contract was renewed in 2010 for four years with her salary set at $91,000 a year. The university fired Taylor in June 2011 after Carolyn Meyers became JSU president.

Taylor filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Jackson on Jan. 24, 2012, against the university, alleging wrongful termination, sexual discrimination, invasion of privacy and breach of contract.

In December 2013, a jury ruled in favor of Taylor's claim that the university breached her contract and awarded her $182,000. The jury dismissed her sexual discrimination and retaliation claims. Also, in the same case, U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate ruled in August 2014 in favor of Taylor's claim of emotional pain and suffering in her invasion of privacy claim and awarded her $200,000.

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