Six former Fresno State University women’s lacrosse team members have finally reached a settlement with the university after a long-fought Title IX class action lawsuit.

The agreement guarantees the school remains Title IX compliant — requiring an expert conduct a gender equity review and the school develop a Gender Equity Plan.

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

The unique settlement does not involve any payment to the plaintiffs. Instead, it focuses on long-term gender equity.

However, the agreement grants the plaintiffs’ attorneys $900,000 in fees, paid by Fresno State.

“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,” said co-counsel Arthur Bryant of Oakland-based Arthur Bryant Law, PC. “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.”

The university declined to comment about the settlement.

U.S. Senior District Judge Kimberly Mueller approved the settlement on Monday, Nov. 17.

The settlement was first reported by Courthouse News.

Fresno State Cut Three Sports in 2021

Almost five years ago, the women alleged that Fresno State deprived female-athletes of effective accommodation and treatment of that awarded to male student-athletes.

They argued that the school failed to provide female athletes equal opportunity to participate in varsity athletics and equal allocation of financial aid.

Fresno State denied the allegations.

The plaintiffs in the case were Anders, Courtney Walburger, Hennessey Evans, Abbigayle Roberts, Megan Waliatis, and Tara Weir. All six played lacrosse before Fresno State eliminated the program alongside men’s wrestling and men’s tennis in 2021.

The university sited revenue declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for eliminating the programs.

Related Story: Fresno State Cuts Wrestling Again, Also Trims Lacrosse and Men’s Tennis. ...

Settlement Requires Long-Term Gender Equity Plan

The settlement focuses on long-term gender equity, ensuring Fresno State remains Title IX compliant.

The university agreed to hire a third-party “Title IX Reviewer” to conduct a gender equity review, paying a flat rate fee of $25,000. It will address Fresno State’s varsity athletic participation opportunities and compare the athletic benefits and treatment afforded to male and female sports programs.

Fresno State will work with the Title IX Reviewer, using the report, to develop a gender equity plan that will address all findings and ensure compliance with Title IX requirements.

Both the gender equity review and plan will be posted on Fresno State’s varsity athletics website alongside annual reports confirming their use.

Additionally, if the women’s participation gap is 40 or larger in any two consecutive academic years, or 30 or larger in any three consecutive academic years, Fresno State will add a women’s varsity team, if there are no alternative approaches available to shrink the gap.

The settlement requires for these changes to continue through July 31, 2029. Fresno State will continue to comply with Title IX after this but will have no further obligations under the settlement, according to court documents.

“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,” said co-counsel Arthur Bryant of Oakland-based Arthur Bryant Law, PC. “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.”