School Controversy over Gay Soccer oach

Belmont University is catching flack for the departure of its women's soccer coach. Some players, students and alumi believe Lisa Howe is no longer at the Tennessee school because she is a lesbian and expecting a child with her same sex partner. Belmont issued a statement insisting the decision was a mutual and the school doesn't consider sexual orientation in its hiring or dismissals. However, former players turned out to protest yesterday and about 50 showed up for a sit-in at the office of the school's president last Sunday. Belmont was affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention until 2007.