Lady Lion recruit Meggan Quinn is unwavering in her commitment to the Penn State women's basketball team.

Despite a recent acknowledgement by the university that Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland violated its anti-discrimination policy, Quinn said yesterday her feelings have not changed toward playing for the Lady Lions next year as a freshman.

"That has no effect on my decision," Quinn said. "It hasn't, it never will. It doesn't bother me because it is not true."

The complaint brought by former Lady Lion Jen Harris said Portland discriminated against her on the basis of race and sexual orientation. An internal investigation by the Affirmative Action Office found Portland

in violation of the university's anti-discrimination policy on the basis of sexual orientation, but not race.

Portland was given a reprimand and will have $10,000 withheld from her paycheck, but she will remain head coach at Penn State next season.

Quinn, a 5-foot-9 guard from Red Lion, said that Portland never said anything derogatory during visits and that she is a "sweet lady."

In a Chicago Sun-Times article published in 1986, Portland was quoted as saying she told prospective recruits and parents that she didn't allow lesbian activity in her program.

"I bring it up, and the kids are so relieved and the parents are so relieved. But they would probably go without asking the question otherwise, which is really dumb," Portland said in the article.

Quinn does not recall Portland ever mentioning any such alleged policy during a recruiting visit or at any other time. Her parents "have faith in Rene," and "a lot would have to happen for them to change their opinion of Rene."

"It is just because Rene is successful that they want to rip her down," Quinn said.

Quinn added that she has not followed the investigation or the pending discrimination lawsuit against Portland filed by Harris in the Federal Middle District Court of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

As one of three recruits to sign letters of intent to play at Penn State next season, Quinn has not spoken to fellow incoming recruits Tyra Grant and Meredith Monroe, nor has she spoken Portland since the investigation was completed.

She said she believes her future teammates, with Portland returning as head coach, will not find the potential legal battle to be a distraction.

"It's none of my business," Quinn said. "Tell everybody to mind their own business and let the players play and the coaches coach."

Coming to Penn State after the program's 13-16 season, Quinn is looking forward to improving a Lady Lion team that lost no one to graduation. She does not fear the "hostile, intimidating and offensive environment" that the investigation report determined Portland had created for Harris.

In Quinn's opinion, many of the issues between player and coach can form because of oversensitivity.

"I get upset because people have to shut their mouths and do what they are told," Quinn said. "A coach's job is to coach."