Titan Settlement to Be Disclosed Today : Jurisprudence: Sources say attorneys’ agreement to resolve legal dispute will result in reinstatement of women’s volleyball team.

Attorneys for Cal State Fullerton and the Titan women’s volleyball team reached an agreement to resolve their 3 1/2-month legal dispute Tuesday afternoon, but details of the out-of-court settlement won’t be revealed until today.

Nancy Carlin, who represents the school, and Kirk Boyd, who represents the team, confirmed they had reached agreement in the case, but because settlement papers won’t be signed until today, neither would disclose specific details.

But several sources said last week that the settlement will include full reinstatement of the volleyball team, which was cut Jan. 28, the addition of a women’s soccer team in the near future, and a long-term plan to improve gender equity in the Fullerton athletic department.

In exchange, attorneys for the volleyball team will agree not to go forward with a federal lawsuit challenging the schools compliance with Title IX, which bars sex discrimination at institutions that receive federal aid.

Boyd has stated repeatedly that he would accept nothing short of full reinstatement of the volleyball program.

“I can’t say anything other than that the plaintiffs are very pleased with this comprehensive solution to the situation,” Boyd said.

Former Titan Coach Jim Huffman and the team had filed a lawsuit against the school, claiming the decision to drop volleyball violated state sex-discrimination laws. The team in March had won a preliminary injunction, which kept the program alive, and a permanent injunction hearing was scheduled for June 4.

Huffman, who was fired in March, expressed hope that if the sport was reinstated, several players who have announced plans to transfer, including all-conference outside hitter Becky Howlett, might reconsider and stay.

But that doesn’t appear to be the case.

“It won’t change our minds--we’re still leaving,” said Howlett, who set the single-season school kill record with 648 in 1991. “Why should I play for a school that didn’t want us in the first place?”

Howlett said she will transfer to Washington State this fall. Angela Lightfoot said she will attend Arkansas State, and Stacey Blackburn and incoming transfer Marie Motile said they will play at Utah State, which is coached by former Titan assistant Marlon Sano.

“A settlement would be great for the girls who aren’t transferring and who want to come here and play,” Howlett said, “but I’m still leaving.”