GAINESVILLE, FL (AP) – The University of Florida and Andrea Zimbardi, a former catcher for the University’s varsity women’s softball team who was released from the team shortly after alleging sexual orientation discrimination, have reached an agreement that includes policy changes and a model training program to educate about harassment and discrimination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and athletes. Zimbardi was represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, a legal advocacy organization with a special project focused on providing legal assistance to athletes who face discrimination because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

As part of the agreement, UF will provide training to combat homophobia in sports to its entire athletic department, including athletic directors, coaches and staff. The University will also encourage team captains to attend. NCLR’s Homophobia in Sports Coordinator Helen Carroll will coordinate the training, which includes presentations from Don McPherson, former professional football player and Executive Director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University, and Dr. Pat Griffin, a University of Massachusetts professor of social justice education and leading national expert in the field of homophobia/heterosexism in sport.

“I am thrilled that we have reached an agreement that will enable us to put this all behind us,” said Zimbardi. “My goal from the very beginning has been to help ensure that other gay and lesbian athletes at UF feel welcome, accepted and judged solely on their talent. I love UF and am more proud than ever to be a Gator.”

“I am really impressed with how the University has addressed this situation,” said NCLR staff attorney, Karen Doering. “UF has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that all student athletes are treated fairly. Its new policies and training program are a model for other universities on how to effectively address allegations of homophobia and help prevent such incidents from occurring.”

Pat Griffin, who helped conduct the first phase of the training commented, “I was impressed by how willing the coaches were to engage and really talk about these difficult issues this was clearly a group of coaches who cared about their athletes and were interested in making athletics accessible for everyone.”

In a statement, Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator Lynda Tealer said, “The University of Florida is committed to creating a positive atmosphere for all student athletes. We feel that the terms of this agreement support our commitment and facilitate the provision of additional tools and training to our coaches, student athletes and staff. At UF, we are always open to ways to get better and this was an opportunity for us to improve.

“Our coaches are the best in the country. We continue to have confidence in their abilities as educators and coaches. Providing information and education that will enhance the experience of our student athletes is appropriate and welcomed by all.”

In addition to training, UF will include a sexual orientation component in its annual non-discrimination staff training; amend its non-discrimination materials to include sexual orientation; create and publish an alternative reporting mechanism through which student athletes may report alleged violations of University non-discrimination rules; develop and provide to coaches and athletic personnel guidelines regarding prayer during practices, competitions or other athletic events; submit an application to the NCAA for restoration of Zimbardi’s final year of eligibility; and pay for Zimbardi’s Master’s degree studies at the University.

Carroll also praised McPherson’s ability to reach men in the athletic program. “Don brought a message in a way we couldn’t,” Carroll said of the former star Syracuse quarterback who had a brief stint in the NFL. McPherson, who is not gay, runs the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphia and deals regularly with social issues in sports, including violence, diversity and the treatment of women.

“This agreement is a real win/win scenario,” said NCLR’s Homophobia in Sports Coordinator Helen Carroll. “I believe this top-rated athletic program will be even better as a result of this agreement.”

On April 24, 2004, former Minnesota Vikings lineman Esera Tuaolo will present Zimbardi with a Justice Award at NCLR’s 27th Annual Gala in San Francisco.

This is the third student discrimination case that NCLR has settled in the past three months.