Former Deputy Athletics Director Jerry Bovee has initiated legal action against Utah State University (USU), alleging wrongful termination and violations of state law. Bovee contends that his dismissal was a retaliatory act following his reports of policy breaches within the university’s athletic department.
In July 2024, USU terminated Bovee’s employment, citing “violations of university policies related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence.” Bovee disputes these claims, asserting that he adhered to university protocols by reporting pertinent information within the required 24-hour timeframe. He further alleges that Athletic Director Diana Sabau exhibited hostility towards him, particularly when donors and athletes praised his contributions, which he believes contributed to his dismissal.
Bovee’s lawsuit, filed in December 2024, seeks over $300,000 in back pay and damages. He argues that USU failed to follow its established grievance procedures after his termination, thereby violating the Utah Protection of Public Employees Act. Additionally, Bovee claims that Sabau’s actions, including reducing his salary by $50,000 and reassigning his duties, were deliberate attempts to marginalize him within the department.
A particularly concerning allegation in Bovee’s lawsuit is the purported use of the messaging app Signal by Sabau and other university officials, including USU President Noelle Cockett. Bovee asserts that Sabau encouraged the use of Signal, which automatically deletes messages, to conduct “more candid conversations” that would not be subject to open records requests, potentially circumventing Utah’s open records laws.
Media law attorney David Reymann has expressed alarm over these allegations, stating that if true, such practices are “unbelievably troubling” and represent a blatant violation of the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Reymann emphasizes that public officials are obligated to retain records to ensure transparency and public access, regardless of the communication medium used.
USU has responded to the lawsuit by standing by its employment decisions and disputing Bovee’s presentation of events. A university spokesperson stated, “We look forward to resolving this case in litigation and continuing to focus on our student-athletes and the success of our athletics programs.” Regarding the use of Signal, the university asserts that the app is used for secure communications to prevent hacking and that all communication methods are employed in adherence with Utah public records laws.
This lawsuit is part of a series of legal challenges facing USU’s athletic department. Former football coach Blake Anderson filed a $15 million lawsuit against the university in November 2024, following his dismissal amid investigations into the football program’s handling of sexual and domestic violence allegations. These legal disputes highlight ongoing concerns about the university’s internal processes and adherence to state laws governing employee rights and public transparency.
As the litigation proceeds, the outcomes of these cases may have significant implications for USU’s administrative practices and its compliance with state regulations. The university’s commitment to addressing these allegations and implementing necessary reforms will be closely scrutinized by stakeholders, including students, faculty, donors, and the broader public.
