Mary Jane Visser testified in Lincoln, Neb.,...

Mary Jane Visser testified in Lincoln, Neb., that she took confidential information on athletes from the University of Nebraska files before she was fired as an adviser.

Visser, who claims she was fired because she was investigating student athletes’ records, told a U.S. District Court jury that she began keeping track of items that seemed irregular. She said some players who participated in the 1988 Fiesta Bowl had flunked out of school the previous semester.

In a lawsuit against the university, Visser is seeking damages for lost wages and emotional distress along with reinstatement to her job.

University officials contend Visser was fired after 19 years on the Nebraska payroll because of poor job performance. They contend she began to investigate student records only after her work habits were criticized.