U. of South Alabama Sued Over Football Program Firing

A former employee of the University of South Alabama football program has accused the school in a federal lawsuit of firing him on trumped-up sexual harassment violations.

The suit by Barrett Parker names the university and strength coach Justin Schwind. It says Parker’s firing was in retaliation for complaining about Schwind deriding him with a racial slur.

The complaint says Parker was the sports video production manager when he got into a confrontation with Schwind in May 2010 and that Schwind punched Parker and used the slur.

According to the suit, the university took no action against Schwind and fired Parker after a student complained in July 2010 that Parker sent inappropriate text messages to her.

Keith Ayers, a spokesman for the university, and Schwind declined comment.