Hearing on Titan Volleyball Suit Delayed a Week

A preliminary hearing in the dispute between Cal State Fullerton and Jim Huffman, the Titan women’s volleyball coach, was pushed back a week by a municipal court judge Tuesday.

Attorneys for Fullerton and the California State University System requested a continuance from Feb. 20 to April 20. But Judge Floyd Schenk instead delayed the hearing in West Orange County Municipal Court until Feb. 27.

Jessica Frazier, an attorney with the chancellor’s office of the university system, said the continuance was needed for preparation time. Huffman has taken Fullerton to court because of the school’s Jan. 28 decision to eliminate women’s volleyball from its athletic program.

On Feb. 3, an Orange County Superior Court commissioner issued a temporary restraining order preventing immediate termination of volleyball. Huffman will continue to run the program and be paid as long as the restraining order is in effect, but is not allowed to sign recruits for next season.

Kirk Boyd, a Berkeley attorney representing Huffman and the team, said he was pleased that a shorter continuance than requested was granted.

“We are pleased that this matter is going to be heard on its merits soon,” Boyd said.