Former USC soccer recruit sues, charges harassment

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A former top recruit on the University of South Carolina women’s soccer team has sued the school and five of its top officials saying she was denied a scholarship renewal because of unwanted advances.

The (Columbia) State reported (http://bit.ly/trlOW1) that 21-year-old Idana DeCecco’s federal sexual harassment lawsuit seeks actual damages of more than $75,000 and punitive damages. She says women’s soccer associate head coach Jamie Smith made the advances. Jamie Smith is the husband of head coach Shelley Smith.

USC, president Harris Pastides, athletics director Eric Hyman, deputy athletics director Marcy Girton and the Smiths are defendants.

In their response, they deny they knew or should have known about previous allegations involving Jamie Smith. The school says it used reasonable care to prevent and correct any harassing behavior.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com