CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WHDH) – Katie Stone, who coached the Harvard University women's ice hockey team to more than 500 wins over nearly three decades, is now suing the university.
She claimed the school favoured male coaches over female coaches and when she told school administrators she was fired.
“Losing my career, my reputation and my ability to earn a living doing what I love is heartbreaking,” Stone said.
Stone's lawyer, Andrew Miltenberg, pointed to an incident in March 2022 when the coach spoke to players inside the room.
“Coach Stone, when speaking to his players, used a phrase we've all heard and many of us have used: 'There are too many chiefs on the ice and not enough Indians,'” Miltenberg said.
Stone apologized, reported the comments and allowed an investigation to proceed, but the investigation did not find a pattern of unprofessional conduct, according to his lawyers.
“This incident ultimately became the catalyst and pretext for Harvard to launch a campaign to undermine and ultimately force the resignation of Katie Stone,” Miltenberg said. “The campaign began when Coach Stone brought up the fact that she was undervalued and underpaid.”
Stone said some of the players were unhappy with the amount of time they were getting on the ice and made false accusations about her as a coach. Stone claims Harvard told her that if she didn't defend herself and kept quiet, everything would be resolved.
However, in May 2023, Stone's lawyers said Harvard had informed her that she would not be allowed back for the following season.
A Harvard spokesman said the university does not comment on ongoing litigation. Stone is suing the university and potentially up to 50 others for their alleged involvement in the incident.
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