Former player sues Central Michigan for sex discrimination

Feb 11, 2009 - 12:52 AM MOUNT PLEASANT, Michigan (Ticker) -- Former Central Michigan basketball player Brooke Heike has sued the school and coach Sue Guevara for sex discrimination, The Morning Sun reported Tuesday.

Heike has claimed that her sexual orientation played a role in her scholarship being revoked following two seasons with the team, according to the report.

The lawsuit also alleges that Heike was harassed by Guevara, then a first-year coach, during the 2007-08 season due to the fact she wore makeup and was not a homosexual. Heike had her scholarship taken away following the campaign.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Bay City on February 3, with Heike accusing Guevara of causing her emotional distress and physical injury during the 2007-08 season, according to the newspaper.

The university released a statement on the lawsuit, denying Heike's accusations.

"Central Michigan University is familiar with the allegations, which are being made without merit. CMU will vigorously defend its position in court."

A player that was recruited by such schools as Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green after leading Romeo High School to a banner season in 2006, Heike joined the Chippewas under former coach Eileen Kleinfelter that same year.

Heike played sparingly in her two seasons at Central Michigan before having her scholarship revoked by the school on March 13, 2008. In her lone season under Guevara, who was named coach on April 18, 2007, Heike appeared in just six games and scored two points.

According to the lawsuit, Heike alleges that Guevara told her that she was not the coach's "type" of player, and that Central Michigan assistant coach Bill Ferrara told her in April 2007 that she should transfer to Saginaw Valley State.

Although Heike did not heed the assistant's advice, Guevara renewed her scholarship in 2007 before later pulling it.