Pat Little, Associated Press Portland -- Former player's suit settled Click photo for larger image.

Penn State University and a former member of the school's women's basketball team have settled a lawsuit the player filed charging that she was forced off the team by coach Rene Portland.

In a joint statement yesterday, Penn State and The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) announced that they had settled the suit filed by former women's basketball player Jennifer Harris against the university, Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Portland.

The terms of the settlement were not released. Neither side would comment on the specifics of the agreement or if there was a monetary component to it.

"As part of the confidential settlement, I cannot get into the specifics of it," NCLR attorney Karen Doering said. "I can say that we are happy with the settlement, though."

Harris, who transferred to James Madison, said in a statement through Doering: "I'm proud to have brought this case, and I'm thrilled that we have been able to resolve it. I look forward to putting this matter behind me and focusing on being the best student and basketball player I can be."

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon refused comment.

In December 2005, Harris filed the lawsuit in the United States District Court and complaints with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

The federal suit alleged that, during Harris' two seasons of playing for the Lady Lions (2003-05), Portland repeatedly questioned Harris about her sexual orientation, mistakenly believed that Harris was gay and pressured the player to appear "more feminine." The suit also alleged Portland harassed and targeted Harris and other black athletes and told student-athletes not to associate with Harris and other Lady Lions' players the coach construed as being homosexual.

Harris also claimed Portland forced her to transfer after heavily favored Penn State lost to Liberty in a first-round NCAA tournament game March 20, 2005.

Penn State, Curley and Portland have denied Harris' allegations.

In April, the university announced it had found that Portland violated its anti-discrimination policy on the basis of sexual orientation.

The university also said it would fine Portland $10,000, place a reprimand in her file and require her to attend diversity training.

"All of those terms were met, yes, I can confirm that," Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said.

The university's anti-discrimination policy as it pertains to sexual orientation was instituted after previous complaints about Portland's comments about homosexuals.

Portland was quoted in a 1986 Chicago Sun-Times article about a team policy banning alcohol, drugs and lesbians. "I will not have it in my program," she said of homosexuality.

Five years later, after continued complaints about Portland, the university altered its discrimination policy to include sexual orientation.