It was a mixed day in Monongalia County Circuit Court. Team Rodriguez strolled into Courtroom 1 just a few minutes before Thursday morning’s motions hearing was set to begin — this was pointed out in subtle fashion by WVU’s representation a while later — but did exit with a rather meaningful “victory” in the opening battle and a pledge from Rita Rodriguez that “we will not back down.”

Team Rodriguez will be allowed to argue that Rich Rodriguez was “fraudulently induced” into signing his contract. Team Rodriguez accused President Mike Garrison of lying to Rodriguez by promising to eliminate the $4 million buyout if he signed the contract. The $4 million was also deemed an unfair punishment by Team Rodriguez, which made a very strange comparison to a slave buying his freedom.

Team WVU had no problem with Judge Robert Stone’s decision to allow the fraud charges and had its share of wins as well, most notably the motion to compel Team Rodriguez to hand over any and all correspondence between Rodriguez and the University of Michigan from their initial interactions through the official hiring. This, Team WVU says, will point out that Rodriguez wanted to be the UM coach and disprove the allegation he was forced to resign.

More later. I have to compose myself after the Chris Henry news…