Harassment, Discrimination Among Claims in Fiore Firing

Written by Jennifer Sloat

Claims of inappropriate behavior, retaliation and discrimination are among those leveled against Stony Brook University’s former Athletic Director Jim Fiore, a Long Beach native, according to an online news report, the second of two that have recently surfaced.

Follow Long Beach Patch on Facebook.

ESPN-W reported Tuesday that according to several sources within the university’s athletic department, as well as several documents, Stony Brook’s Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action received complaints about the recently fired athletic director and had knowledge of his misconduct for at least two years and failed to act.

According to the story, documents received by the Attorney General of New York and the State Inspector General show that Fiore asked female student-athletes about their sexual orientation, behaved inappropriately with them, and asked female coaches directly if they were homosexual, among other allegations that include misappropriation of university resources.

SeaWolvesNation, a blog devoted to Stony Brook athletics, ran a report on Nov. 21 that said several women brought complaints about Fiore to independent mediators outside the athletics department.

Fiore was let go from the university on Nov. 19. and the university bought out his contract, which had 31 months left, for $800,000.

ESPN-W contacted Fiore’s media representative, Michael Conte, about the allegations. Conte said he had “nothing to provide.” The university has not commented on the issue except for a brief email that was sent to the campus community Nov. 19, which read: "I am writing to inform you that Jim Fiore is leaving Stony Brook University. Senior Associate Athletic Director, Donna Woodruff will serve as Interim Athletic Director as we commence a national search to identify a new Athletic Director."

One source quoted in the story called Fiore a ”bully” and said, “once you crossed him you’re done.”

Fiore, whose mother is Long Beach historian Roberta Fiore, knew Chuck Priore, the head coach of Stony Brook’s football team, when he was growing up in the city, since both attended Long Beach Catholic Regional School on West Broadway. Fiore went on to graduate from Hofstra University, where he played free safety for the football team.

To read the entire story click here.