Rolovich Loses Lawsuit Against Washington State University

Former Washington State head football coach Nick Rolovich lost his lawsuit against the university after being fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice ruled that Washington State University (WSU) was justified in their decision, citing undue hardships such as increased travel costs, hindered recruitment, and damage to the university's reputation. Rolovich claimed his dismissal violated his rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination due to his Catholic faith, but the court found no substantial religious objection presented by Rolovich. WSU argued that accommodating an unvaccinated coach would have been significantly burdensome, with expert testimony highlighting increased COVID-19 transmission risks. Rolovich's lawsuit also alleged breach of contract and wage withholding, but these claims were dismissed. Ultimately, the court upheld WSU's termination decision, emphasizing that Rolovich's objections to vaccination were primarily secular.