Athletic Official Sues USC, Alleging Racial Bias

Marvin Cobb, a USC assistant athletic director, claims he was not promoted by the university because of racial bias, a suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court this week contends.

The suit claims that USC Athletic Director Mike McGee passed over Cobb, who is black, for a promised promotion to associate athletic director because Cobb had complained about the treatment of black athletes at the university.

McGee said Wednesday night the school has not received a copy of the complaint. He said he would not comment until he reads the suit.

The suit alleges that when Cobb was hired in 1986 he was told by McGee that he would have flexible hours and a guaranteed promotion in two years.

After accepting the job, Cobb “complained to USC concerning the treatment of African-American athletes,” the suit said. After that, “McGee complained to (Cobb) that (he) was not keeping firm office hours.”

Cobb contends he worked 10 to 14 hours a day on a regular basis and “performed at all times his duties in a competent and professional manner.”

When two years passed and Cobb was not promoted, he was told it was because of his lax office hours, the suit said.

Cobb alleged that others in the department also did not keep regular office hours.

The suit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleged violations of labor laws, race discrimination and breach of contract.

Cobb, a Trojan starter in football and baseball in the early 1970s, has played an instrumental role in developing USC’s student-athlete academic programs. He also assists McGee with NCAA compliance, as well as heading the department’s drug education program.

He could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. His attorney, Stephanie Wells of San Francisco, also could not be reached.