Savannah State faces two lawsuits with race at center

Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., President, Savannah State University

SAVANNAH, GA — Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., the president of Savannah State University, would prefer to be trumpeting the school's marine biology class work with its boundless laboratory a few miles away in the Atlantic Ocean. He talked excitedly about the school's Homeland Security curriculum, unique in Georgia, and beamed when the conversation changed to a recent $4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

But sitting in his campus office, Yarbrough instead had to address two racial discrimination lawsuits filed against the school. It is bitter news because he said the doors to the historically black school are open to all. "I have worked very hard to make this a more diverse campus, and then to be slapped with this eats at your soul," said Yarbrough, president since 2007. "It is constantly on your mind."

So, perhaps, is Robby Wells, the football coach Yarbrough hired in 2008 who said he was forced to resign in January because he is white. He filed a lawsuit May 25 based largely on the alleged comment of an administrator, who has since retired and denied making the remark.

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SSU President Responds to ESPN “Outside the Lines” Story

When Robby Wells was hired at Savannah State in 2007, he became the first white head football coach in the school's 98-year history. Wells enjoyed moderate success in his first two seasons at the HBCU, but claims that he was forced to resigned in 2009, citing racial discrimination as the reason for his dismissal. "Outside the Lines'" Jemele Hill investigates the allegations of racism at Savannah State. Wells says he was fired earlier this year because he is white -- a charge the school, a historically black university, denies.

ESPN Video: Outside the Lines Show: 5/16/10: Question Of Race

May 16, 2010

Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., President, Savannah State University president responds to ESPN “Outside the Lines” broadcast ...

Following his resignation from Savannah State University (SSU), former Head Football Coach Robert “Robby” Wells very regrettably leveled negative and false allegations of “ racism and lies” at the university and its administration. These false allegations formed the basis of an episode of the ESPN show “Outside the Lines,” which aired this morning. Several SSU staff members and I spoke with ESPN regarding Wells’ comments and our policies at SSU and, it is our hope that in the interest of balanced reporting, ESPN will have chosen to include these interviews in the Wells segment. Nevertheless, I want to re-state the university’s expectations and set the record straight for our supporters, alumni, friends and the community.

As university president, I have committed this administration to abide by all SSU academic policies and procedures, those of the University System of Georgia as well as NCAA Rules and Regulations. As SSU Athletics prepares to enter the national stage via our membership in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, as well as this ESPN airing, we must re-affirm these fundamental principles.

At Savannah State University:

1. We believe in diversity, as is amply demonstrated by a workforce that remains among the most ethnically and culturally diverse within the University System of Georgia and in the city of Savannah.
2. We firmly believe that our athletes must first be students and demonstrate character and integrity.
3. We insist that student athletic recruitment be a shared activity where ALL recruits are known and vetted by ALL involved coaches, the athletic and NCAA compliance directors as well as the administration.
4. We also insist, and have always insisted, that all student athletes being recruited to SSU receive fair and equal treatment regardless of race, color, gender or family background. discriminatory treatment of any kind has never been, nor will ever be, tolerated by this administration. Any claim of unjust treatment related to admission and/or scholarship offers must be reported immediately to the administration.

In light of the national broadcast concerning Savannah State University and its football program, the university must affirm that it acted legally and within the guidelines of the policy of the University System of Georgia with regard to the separation of former head football coach, Robert “Robby” Wells. With concern to not damage Mr. Wells’ future professional opportunities, however, the university has withheld specific information regarding his performance or any violations of department, university, University System of Georgia, and NCAA rules, procedures and/or guidelines. While SSU bears Mr. Wells no ill will, we will not waver from protecting the reputation of this university - its Athletic Department, student-athletes and alumni - regardless of the forum.