EdCC athletes file discrimination suit

By ERIC STEVICK

Herald Writer

An Oklahoma law firm that specializes in sexual discrimination cases has filed a federal lawsuit against Edmonds Community College, alleging the school is violating the rights of softball team members.

At the center of the lawsuit is an on-campus construction project that claims the women’s softball field and forces them to play at a local high school.

The class action lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, names the EdCC Board of Directors and President Jack Oharah as defendants. Five EdCC softball players brought the suit, which does not seek damages.

In court papers, the softball players allege their rights are being violated under Title IX, which bans sexual discrimination in any educational institution that receives federal money, and the "equal protection" clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The softball players allege the college provides superior locker rooms, practice facilities and competition facilities for male athletes.

Sharron Sellers, EdCC director of communications and marketing, said the college has not yet seen the lawsuit, which was filed Sept. 27.

Space is at a premium on the Lynnwood campus. EdCC is adding a higher education center to its campus where students from EdCC and Central Washington University will be able to take classes in the same building.

EdCC is working with the Edmonds School District and city of Lynnwood to replace the field used by the women’s softball team and the men’s and women’s soccer teams, Sellers said.

"The construction of a new facility created a real need for a new parking site on campus, and the college identified the current soccer field as the best location for this site," Sellers said.

The plan is to renovate and upgrade the Lynnwood High School athletic field and provide transportation for the college softball players.

The fact that the women’s team won’t have an on-campus field and must share space on a field that is not the same quality is inequitable, said Samuel Schiller, an Oklahoma attorney representing the players.

"They just don’t have a home field," Schiller said. "That’s all there is to it.

"Look at their fields," Schiller said. "What has happened is they had a baseball field on campus, and they had a softball field that wasn’t as nice but it was at least on campus. They tore down the softball field to make room for a parking lot. So they moved the girls to Lynnwood High School … (and) it’s clearly an inferior field.

"It is important to note that the girls are not seeking damages, although there is certainly nothing preventing them from doing so," Schiller said. "They do not seek a windfall, but only desire to see the problems resolved, not just for themselves, but also for those who follow them."

One of the players named in the lawsuit, Marylynne Zaugg, a second-year player at EdCC, said the team wants its own field, preferably on or near campus.

"At this point, a field that is the same standard as the guys would be nice," she said.

It is difficult to drive by the area that was once the field, she said.

Zaugg liked to work on it with her teammates for the feeling of ownership it instilled in the team. She recalled the time her team went out between games on a rainy day and bought 40 bags of kitty litter to dry the field.

The team can’t experience that same feeling with a field miles from campus that belongs to the school district, she said.

Meanwhile, Sellers said the college values women’s athletics.

"Edmonds Community College has a longstanding commitment to women’s athletics. Our commitment is genuine and meaningful under the law. We agree that women’s sports have significant educational value and that the benefits of athletics are great for both men and women."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.