http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/football/ncaa/10/07/bc.fbc.cottrellsuit.ap/
Judge dismisses some elements of former UA assistant's lawsuit Posted: Tuesday October 7, 2003 10:43PM; Updated: Tuesday October 7, 2003 10:43PM TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- A judge dismissed four elements of a defamation lawsuit filed by former Alabama assistant coach Ronnie Cottrell, but at least one count remains against all seven defendants. Cottrell sued in December, claiming university and NCAA officials defamed him during an investigation into the Crimson Tide football program. The former recruiting coordinator claims he has been unable to find comparable employment since being implicated in the investigation and is seeking $15 million in compensatory damages and $45 million in punitive damages. In a ruling released Monday, Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Thomas S. Wilson threw out four of Cottrell's claims, including deceit and abuse of process. But Wilson rejected, at least in part, the defendants' motion to dismiss six other counts in the suit. Cottrell's claim of libel, slander and defamation remains against four defendants, including UA faculty athletic representative Gene Marsh and UA compliance director Marie Robbins. A count of invasion of privacy remains against all seven defendants, including the NCAA. Tommy Gallion, the Montgomery attorney representing Cottrell and former coach Ivy Williams, who has joined the suit, said he expected some counts to be dismissed but was pleased that at least one count remained against all seven defendants. "We can now put everyone under oath, take their depositions and find out what happened," Gallion said Tuesday. kurt ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
