Record setting head-coach faces an employment discrimination suit

Auriemma is facing a reputation-tarnishing lawsuit

Geno Auriemma, the record-setting women’s basketball coach at the University of Connecticut, is being sued by an NBA security officer. She accuses him of following, grabbing and trying to forcibly kiss her at a 2009 international basketball tournament in Russia, according to the New York Times.

Kelley Hardwick, the security officer who is also a former New York City undercover narcotics detective, says Auriemma  demanded that she be removed as the top security official for the U.S. women’s national team. She is also suing the NBA and USA Basketball.

Auriemma, in an email statement to the Times on Monday, said, “I was unaware of this lawsuit until hearing about it in media reports today and therefore will have no comment.”

Auriemma is one of the most successful women’s basketball head coaches in history. Here is a sample of his achievements:

Auriemma is the leader among active women’s coaches in winning percentage at .861. He has 7 women’s national championships including four undeafeated seasons. Auriemma is the fastest women’s coach to reach 500, 600, (tied for) 700 and 800 wins. He went to a record 5 consecutive Final Fours and his 2008-2012 teams broke a record for consecutive games won in all of college basketball with 90.

Unfortuentely, even though this lawsuit does not necessitate Auriemma’s guilt, any report of wrongdoing will harm Auriemma’s image in the public eye. Auriemma will be questioned by parents of current players and potential recruits, his bosses at UConn, his family and many others.

This is why it is so important to be on one’s best behavior at all times. Take Christian and former Super-Bowl winning quarterback Kurt Warner for example. Warner has never had his reputation tarnished despite being in the public spotlight. In fact, one of the most controversial things he has done, is scream “Thank-you, Jesus” after winning the Super-Bowl with the St. Louis Rams in 2000.

This is not to say that Auriemma has not been careful. There have been many erroneous lawsuits that have no basis whatsoever. All this means is that sports figures, and public figures in general, must be sqeeky clean in their public and private lives (since they really don’t have a private life.)