Suspended Binghamton University men’s basketball coach Kevin Broadus has filed a racial discrimination complaint against top administrators and the school.

The complaint was filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights in early March, five months after Broadus was placed on paid leave from his position for violating NCAA recruiting regulations. Before that, five players were dismissed from the team for reasons ranging from drug charges to commitment issues.

Broadus continues to receive his $235,000 annual salary.

THE COMPLAINTS

Broadus individually filed complaints against SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and interim athletic director Jim Norris, stating that each displayed acts of racial discrimination.

His main arguments of discrimination were that no other coach, at BU or in SUNY, has ever received similar disciplinary action for a secondary NCAA violation.

“No one else in the department has ever been treated in this manner, but the most important component is I am the only person of color who is a head coach,” he wrote in his hand-written, filed complaint against Norris.

Broadus also complained that after he was removed from his position his travel credit card and permission to use the state-owned car were taken away. He was also told he could not attend the Final Four this year.

According to University spokeswoman Gail Glover, Broadus appealed this decision and after consulting with human resources at BU, it was decided that that the University would pay for his attendance in accordance with the standard New York state travel reimbursement policies.

In his complaint against Zimpher, Broadus stated that in 2006 active members of the SUNY Albany football team were charged with rape. According to Broadus, the active coach who recruited those players was not disciplined or have his position adjusted; instead, he instituted procedures to monitor and mentor these students.

SUNY declined to comment.

The complaints cited March 4 as the most recent date of discriminatory action.

Broadus also filed a similar complaint against BU.

Broadus has created a Web site — www.kevinbroadus.com — where he posted legal documents regarding his filed complaints.

BROADUS’ FUTURE

In late March, one of his attorneys, Linda Kenney Baden of New York City, wrote to BU’s attorney Barbara Westbrook Scarlett regarding Broadus’ leave from the athletic department.

According to Baden’s letter, his leave ends as of April 2010. She said that both she and her client are being kept out of the loop as to when he will be allowed to return to his position as head coach.

“We hope to hear sometime this month since coach has sat back and waited,” Baden said. “We hope that the University will get back to him … When someone has worked as hard has he has, he deserves the opportunity to know what is going on.”

Glover said that no decision has been made at this time regarding Broadus’ reinstatement.

Baden and Broadus sent two additional letters to the University, one of which requested the BU Council to allow Broadus to refute Judge Judith Kaye’s report at the BU Council meeting on Friday, April 17.

They are still waiting to hear back on the request.