Point Park Globe Fall 2019 Issue 4

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IN THIS ISSUE: PAGE

@PPUGlobe September 18, 2019

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Kylie Thomas profiles local pop-punk band “The Homeless Gospel Choir” How the death of minor league ball player Chace Numata affected a team Sports editor Allison Schubert reflects on the life of alum Fred McLeod ppuglobe.com

Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967

Issue 4

Former coach files lawsuit against university Complaint contends discrimination during employment Dara Collins Editor-in-Chief

A former head coach filed a discrimination lawsuit against Point Park University last week, according to court documents. Kelly Parsley, former head coach of Point Park University’s cross country and track and field teams, filed the lawsuit against the university last Monday, according to the official complaint. Point Park’s managing director of marketing and public relations, Lou Corsaro, released a statement on Sept. 9 on behalf of the university: “We are aware of a lawsuit filed last week and are responding to it in the appropriate fashion. Given that this is a personnel matter and pending litigation, there will be no further comment.” According to the lawsuit, Parsley, who currently resides in Kansas, “was wrongfully and unlawfully terminated because of his sex and sexual orientation” when he was relieved of his coaching position at Point Park on Feb.

Robert Berger | Archives

Former head coach of the cross country and track and field teams Kelly Parsley watches his team at a meet during his tenure at Point Park. Parsley was relieved of his employment at the university in February of this year and filed a lawsuit against Point Park last week. The complaint contends unlawful termination because of Parsley’s sex and sexual orientation. 15, 2019. The discrimination suit says Parsley is an openly homosexual male. He served as the head coach of the track and field

teams for five years and head coach of the cross country teams for four years prior to his termination. The announcement of

Parsley’s dismissal came after the coach received his ninth and tenth recognitions as River States Conference (RSC) Coach of the Year for

the men’s and women’s indoor track and field season. The lawsuit is currently before the U.S. District Court

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HONORS PROGRAM, CENTER FOR INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE HOST WRITER DAMON YOUNG

Sara Cronin | The Globe

Molly Burke speaks to an audience at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Burke was the first of the four individuals to speak as part of the 2019-2020 Media Innovators Speaker Series.

Molly Burke kicks off Speaker Series Amara Phillips Copy Editor

Molly Burke is a 26-yearold motivational speaker and disability rights activist, but many commonly know her from YouTube. Burke uses her large platform on YouTube to post weekly videos about mental health struggles she has faced since becoming completely blind at a young age. She reaches a large audience with her subscriber count of 1.9 million, and her videos help spread light around the world. On Sept. 12, Burke spoke about her life expe-

riences and challenges with empowering words of encouragement. She visited the Pittsburgh Playhouse as part of Point Park’s Media Innovators Speaker Series. Profits from the event went to the Mira Foundation, which provides guide dogs to those with visual impairment, and is where Burke purchased her dog, Gallop. This event sold out, and around 7 p.m., Burke walked toward center stage with her dog Gallop in hand. Her voice echoed through the room as she demanded the

MOLLY page 2

Jordyn Hronec | The Globe

Damon Young speaks in Lawrence Hall 200. He discussed his new book “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays,” which takes a look at his experiences as a black man in America.

Weather Forecast Today: Sunny H 79, L 55

Thursday: Sunny, H 78, L 52 Friday: Sunny, H 82, L 55 Saturday: Mostly Sunny, H 84, L 62

Sunday: Partly Cloudy, H 87, L 66 Monday: Showers, H 80, L 60 Tuesday: Partly Cloudy, H 78, L 60

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