Peters and TWU settle lawsuit out-of-court
Former head coach looking forward to moving on
March 12, 2008
by Lauren Thompson
After over a month of legal disputes, Stan Peters, former Spartans men’s basketball head coach, and Trinity Western University “have reached a mutually agreeable settlement” of their lawsuit, said a press release issued by the university on Friday.
Peters filed a wrongful-dismissal lawsuit in early February. According to The Province, the 47-year-old coach “claims that the manner of the termination was ‘callous and insensitive’ and without cause and reasonable notice” in legal documents.
Mid-season terminations are “highly unusual,” said a statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court.
The terms of the settlement are not available at this time, though Ron Kuehl, Senior Vice President of External Relations, said the agreement was “mutually satisfactory.”
Peters was unable to comment on the settlement, due to a confidentiality clause.
Peters was fired mid-season after eight and a half years of coaching the team. He brought the Spartans into the CIS, and was an ardent follower of the university’s “Complete Champion Approach” for athletes.
“Scoreboard is important,” Peters told Mars’ Hill, but acknowledges several other components that took precedence in his coaching. “Any player that plays for me is a student first,” he said. “I want players pursuing degrees.” Next, he cites developing team players, the “heart of a champion” and players that are “spiritually sensitive.”
“It’s long-term versus short-term,” he said.
Athletic director Murray Hall said, in a statement after the dismissal, that Peters was released because the athletic department wants to move in a “new direction.”
“We are moving in a new direction with a change of leadership and are committed to bringing the men’s basketball program into the realm of being a perennial contender,” he stated.
The Spartans men’s basketball team was 4-8 at the time of the firing.
After Peters’ dismissal, all three assistant coaches and the team manager resigned. In addition, his wife, Lori, resigned from her teaching position in the Human Kinetics department.
Malcolm Campbell, Spartans assistant coach since July, played under Peters from 1999 to 2001. “I did not agree with the new direction the team was going in,” he said.
“I did not feel they treated Stan with honour and respect when they fired him,” Campbell continued.
Neither Peters nor the university could comment on the firing in light of criticism being offered over the university’s handling of the matter.
Despite the lawsuit, Peters appears humble and happy three months after being fired. “I’ve never felt so affirmed in who I am,” he said, citing the outpouring of support he received after the termination. Peters said he got over 400 emails and phone calls after the incident, calling it “the most humbling moment of my life.”
Peters still keeps in touch with his former players, saying coaching was “about building relationships.”
“I don’t want them to live in the past,” he said. “They have to move forward in pursuit of their life-calling and relationship with the Lord.”
For now, Peters said he and his family are “excited about moving forward.”
“The focus has been on our family, on what’s next for us,” he said. Peters and his wife have three daughters, in grades seven through 12. “The Lord has opened doors.”
The Spartan men finished the season at 4-16 under interim coach Pat Lee, and will begin next year with new coach Scott Allen (Re: New coach, players begin next Spartans era, page 18).
With reporting by Todd Foley
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