Controversial Lawsuit Follows New AD to Kansas State

Kansas State University’s new athletic director needs to hit the ground running. He has some controversial, unfinished business at his old job.

On Monday, Kansas State University introduced their new Athletic Director.

Fifty-eight-year old Gene Taylor takes over the Wildcat athletic department next month.

Taylor’s experience and credentials are excellent.

Over the past three years, Taylor served as deputy athletic director at the University of Iowa. That’s where the controversy exits and it isn’t going away.

Taylor is mixed up in a lawsuit filed by Jane Meyer, a former second in command in the University of Iowa Athletic Department.

Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta transitioned Meyer out of the athletic department about the time he hired Taylor.

This happened just after Barta fired Meyer’s longtime “partner,” Iowa field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum, as described in an article by Josh O’Leary in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

Mar 9, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Kansas State Wildcats cheerleaders entertain fans in the game against the Baylor Bears during the Big 12 Championship Tournament at Sprint Center. Kansas State won 70-64. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

According to Polk County court records, three years ago in May, University of Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta created the new position of Deputy Director of Athletics on his staff. He wanted to hire Gene Taylor.

As a matter of fact, Meyer believed she was the only choice for this job.

The lawsuit states

"The University of Iowa Athletic Director hired a heterosexual male Gene Taylor and gave him much of Meyer’s job responsibilities."

It is also important to note the lawsuit claims Iowa gave Meyer much less work to do than when she had the job.

The university also paid Taylor $70,000- $80,000 more than they paid her.

Not only that, the lawsuit claims a variety of other gender inequities in the athletic department.

Taylor is now running the Athletic Department at Kansas State.

Did he know of the mess he walked into when he took the job in Iowa City?

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On the other hand, should women and LGBTQ staff members at Kansas State be concerned?

We may learn the answer when Taylor testifies in Meyer’s bias trial.

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