Peter Tegen, the only women’s track and cross country head coach
in the history of the University of Wisconsin, announced last June
he planned to finish out the remainder of his contract and retire
at the end of the 2004 spring season. After 31 years with the
university, Tegen’s retirement was not so much of a surprise, but
an expected end to the 64-year-old’s brilliant career.
As six-time Big Ten Coach of the Year in track and nine-time
conference cross country Coach of the Year, Tegen established
himself as a coaching legend behind his 44 Big Ten titles. Being a
coach of such stature, it was all but assumed Tegen’s retirement
was on his own terms.
Last week, however, Tegen filed a federal lawsuit against the
university for age and gender discrimination, claiming his contract
was not renewed because UW athletic officials are biased against a
man coaching the women’s track and cross country teams. Tegen also
alleged his contract was not renewed because of tensions between
the university and himself regarding Title IX.
If Tegen’s claims hold true, we can only deplore the manner in
which the department has treated a coach whose influence on this
university cannot be underestimated. Simply, the women’s track and
cross county programs would not be where they are today without
Tegen’s 31 years of service. A coach of Tegen’s stature, who is
extremely well liked by his athletes and peers, deserves better
from the department, which is just as indebted to Tegen as he is to
the university.
Regardless of how Tegen’s case plays out, this is a very
auspicious beginning to Barry Alvarez’s tenure as athletic
director. We urge the athletic department and Alvarez to treat
Tegen’s qualms with care, hear out both the coach and his athletes
and remedy any wrongs that may have been committed.