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.