Former head coach for the Washington State University football team, Nick Rolovich, has announced that he plans to take legal action against his ex-employers on the grounds of “unlawful and unjust” termination of his position as an athletic instructor.
Washington state governor Jay Inslee revealed to residents that by October 18th, all state employees would be dismissed from their jobs if they do not obtain a COVID-19 vaccine or a reasonable exemption.
While Nick Rolovich attempted to argue that religious beliefs prevent him from getting vaccinated, his request was denied. With him and many other authority figures being removed from the football coaching staff, WSU was left with a large chunk of their coaches missing in the middle of a three-game winning streak.
However, the former coach could have his termination appealed, considering he has 15 days following his dismissal to submit an appeal to Kirk Schulz, president of the university. This would extend the appeal process an additional 30 days for review.
“The institution also indicated that even if the exemption had been granted, no accommodation would have been made,” Brian Fahling, a lawyer for the dismissed coach, explained in a statement reported by the SeattleTimes. He argued, “As a result, Coach Rolovich will be taking legal action against Washington State University, and all parties responsible for his illegal termination.”
Nick Rolovich’s lawyer argues that WSU director of athletics is discriminating
RELATED: Nick Rolovich and Other Washington State Coaching Staff Fired For Not Abiding by COVID-19 Protocols
Pat Churn, director of athletics at WSU, noted that there was a reason for rightful termination. Churn stated, according to CNN, “Our priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of the young men on our team. The leadership on our football team is filled with young men of character, selflessness, and resiliency and we are confident these same attributes will help guide this program as we move forward.”
Yet, Fahling disregarded these sentiments, sharing that he believed Churn was purposely malicious to the ex-head coach and deserved to be investigated. Fahling commented, “Chun’s animus towards Coach Rolovich’s sincerely held religious beliefs, and Chun’s dishonesty at the expense of Coach Rolovich during the past year is damning and will be thoroughly detailed in litigation. Chun’s discriminatory and (vindictive) behavior has caused immeasurable harm to Coach Rolovich and his family.”
“It is a tragic and damning commentary on our culture, and more specifically, on Chun, that Coach Rolovich has been derided, demonized, and ultimately fired from his job, merely for being devout in his Catholic faith,” the release statement read.
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