College news takes the mic

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has settled a lawsuit with former media relations director Debby Jennings:

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Lady Vols media director Debby Jennings has reached a $320,000 settlement in her lawsuit against the University of Tennessee and athletic director Dave Hart.

Jennings' lawyer, David Burkhalter, released a statement Thursday that said the parties had "reached an amicable settlement" and noted the amount. The lawsuit, filed in September 2012, alleged age and sex discrimination had led to Jennings' forced retirement after 35 years at the university.

"I am hopeful my lawsuit has cast some light on some of the inequities that I and others experienced in the combined UT athletics department," Jennings said in a statement released by Burkhalter. "My sincere desire is that my university will strive to bridge the gap in the disparity of the number of women and minorities in leadership roles within the (athletic department)."

Jennings also said she looks "forward to a positive relationship with my university in the years to come."

The university released a statement saying "the parties have agreed that it is in the best interests of all concerned to put this dispute behind them." The university also said it "acknowledges the substantial contributions Ms. Jennings made to the University and the Lady Vols during her 35 years of service."

The University of Alabama is being called "spiteful" in blocking Daisha Simmons' transfer to Seton Hall.

The NCAA is investigating the University of Mississippi for rules violations - the majority of which come from women's basketball.

Raven Ferguson has been dismissed from the Ohio State team for rules violations. She was the squad's second-leading scorer.

UC Irvine coach Doug Oliver has signed a contract extension through the 2018-2019 season.