Ex-Lady Vols media director Debby Jennings, university reach $320,000 settlement in lawsuit

FILE - In a Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, file photo provided by the University of Tennessee, Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt sits with her yellow Labrador, Sadie, at her home in 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, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. (AP Photo/University of Tennessee, Debby Jennings) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this June 2009 file photo, Debby Jennings, at the time the Tennessee Lady Vols associate athletics director for media relations, stands for a portrait in 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, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Amy Smotherman Burgess, File) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

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 saying the parties had "reached an amicable settlement" and noting the $320,000 figure. The lawsuit alleged age and sex discrimination led to Jennings' forced retirement after 35 years.

Jennings said, "I am hopeful my lawsuit has cast light on some of the iniquities that I and others experienced in the combined UT athletics department" and that "I look 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."