In her first year as a Mustang, former women’s basketball player Jennifer Colli claims she was questioned about her sexual orientation and relationship with another team member by current head coach Rhonda Rompola.
Now, Colli is suing Rompola and the university after her scholarship was revoked when the athlete confronted athletic director Steve Orsini about the confrontation.
At the end of her first season, Colli approached Orsini about Rompola’s inquiries, deeming them inappropriate. Just two months later, Colli was informed that her scholarship was being revoked because the university could not verify the athlete’s complaints.
In a suit filed nearly two weeks ago, Colli is demanding upwards of $2 million in damages and $450,000 in attorney fees from the university as a result of the lawsuit.
Discussions about team relationships first surfaced in 2005 when Rompola held a team meeting about gay relationships, and how they would not be tolerated amongst team members. Admitting she was in a relationship with a teammate, Colli said her romance was not the only one on the team, and had even heard rumors of relationships springing up between coaches.
Four teammates and Colli’s sister support the case, claiming Rompola had “long term relations with a specific female SMU assistant coach,” according to an affidavit.
Rompola declined an interview, but did issue a statement saying, “It is regrettable that the plaintiffs in this lawsuit are attempting to try their case in the public arena through the media. I will not respond to their unfounded allegations and look forward to presenting the facts through the proper venue in court.”
The university has also said Colli’s claims do not match the investigations, and therefore, has decided to address further issues in federal court.
The history of this case dates back to the end of Colli’s freshmen year when Rompola scheduled a meeting to discuss how the student could improve for her sophomore year. Rather than discussing technical skills, her coach inquired about the athlete’s relationship, how stable the couple was and what their plans were moving forward.
In her debut on the Hilltop, Colli saw playing time in many games, but near the end of the season, Colli recorded more time on the bench than dribbling the ball up the court.
Colli’s complaint statement revealed “SMU’s and Rompola’s labeling of Colli as a liar caused her severe emotional distress and physical injury.”
The statement also claims that questions about each player’s sexual orientation and relationships became more and more frequent, Rompola even blamed her team’s poor performance on the fact that athlete’s hadn’t “gotten any” the previous night.
At the end of her first season, Colli approached Orsini about Rompola’s inquiries, deeming them inappropriate. Just two months later, Colli was informed her scholarship was being revoked because the University could not verify the athlete’s complaints.
Colli finished the 2006 fall semester on financial aid before permanently leaving the university. Leaving her basketball career in the past, Colli now lives in Southern California.
