Female Athletes Settle Title IX Sex Discrimination Class Action against Fresno State University

Outside Expert will Conduct Gender Equity Review; School will Develop Gender Equity Plan, Provide Equal Opportunities and Treatment, Comply with Title IX

Six former women’s lacrosse team members have settled the Title IX class action they filed against Fresno State University in 2021 for discriminating against its female student-athletes. The settlement requires Fresno State to hire an agreed outside expert to conduct a Gender Equity Review, work with that expert to develop a Gender Equity Plan, provide equal opportunities and treatment to its female athletes, and ensure its entire athletic department complies with Title IX by the end of the 2027-28 academic year.

Senior U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller in Sacramento, CA, formally approved the settlement in Anders v. California State University, Fresno, today, noting the women athletes’ and their lawyers’ “success in obtaining a favorable and meaningful settlement.” To read the court-approved settlement, click here.

“This settlement shows what women can accomplish when they fight sex discrimination—and why that’s so important,” said plaintiff Taylor Anders. “We filed this lawsuit in 2021 and we wouldn’t give up. Now, we are getting what we were fighting for. Fresno State is going to comply with Title IX.”

The other plaintiffs and former Fresno State women’s lacrosse team members who won the settlement are Courtney Walburger, Henessey Evans, Abbigayle Roberts, Megan Waliatis, and Tara Weir.

“We are honored to represent Taylor, Courtney, and all of the plaintiffs in this case who have spent the past four years, even after they graduated from Fresno State, fighting for equality that will benefit female athletes for years to come,” said Lori Bullock of Bullock Law PLLC in Des Moines, IA, co-counsel for the athletes.

“These women should be proud,” said co-counsel Arthur Bryant of Arthur Bryant Law, P.C., in Oakland, CA. “The proposed settlement is a major victory for all female athletes and potential athletes at Fresno State, Title IX, and everyone who cares about gender equity nationwide. With college sports changing so dramatically, it's critically important that women fight for the equal opportunities and treatment Title IX requires. That’s what these brave, tenacious women did.”

Michael Caddell, Cynthia Chapman, and Amy Tabor of Caddell & Chapman in Houston, TX, and Monterey, CA, also represent the women athletes.

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Contacts:

Arthur Bryant, 510-507-9972, arthur@arthurbryantlaw.com

Lori Bullock, 515-416-9051, lbullock@clarksonlawfirm.com

Michael Caddell, 713-751-0400, mac@caddellchapman.com

Cynthia Chapman, 713-751-0400, cbc@caddellchapman.com

Links:
Fresno State Title IX Settlement Approved by the Court