Ex-Texas Southern women's coach wins lawsuit

Former Texas Southern women's basketball coach Surina Dixon has won a federal lawsuit against the school in which she alleged gender discrimination and retaliation for her 2008 firing.

A jury awarded Dixon $730,000 on Friday.

Dixon was hired by TSU in March 2008 and fired three months later without coaching a game. Her lawsuit alleged she was retaliated against after she complained about gender discrimination and advocated for gender equity.

Dixon is now a high school teacher in Memphis, Tenn. She told Houston's KRIV-TV (http://bit.ly/riIhRS) that she's excited by the verdict and called it a great day for women in sports.

Texas Southern said statement that it has strong policies against discrimination and retaliation and is considering filing an appeal.