Univ of Illinois settles with ex-coach, athletes who claimed racial hostility
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Illinois head coach Tim Beckman directs his team during an NCAA college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov 2, 2013. Penn State defeated Illinois 24-17. (AP Photo/John Beale) (The Associated Press)
The University of Illinois has announced a pair of settlements involving former female basketball players who sued the school and its former football coach, Tim Beckman.
Campus officials said Tuesday that the seven former players will receive a one-time payment of $375,000 to split among them. The University of Illinois Board of Trustees must approve the settlement.
The women sued in 2015, claiming basketball coaches created a racially hostile environment. The women, through their attorney Terry Ekl, said in a statement that they're happy "no other student athlete may have to experience what we have."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The school also said Beckman would receive a one-time payment of $250,000, which doesn't need approval from trustees. Allegations of player abuse led the school to fire Beckman a week before last season started.