Former Harvard Women’s Hockey Coach Katey Stone Initiates Lawsuit for Sex Discrimination, Claiming Unjust Dismissal and Gender Bias

Katey Stone, the former head coach of Harvard University’s women’s hockey team, has filed a lawsuit against the prestigious institution, alleging that she was wrongfully forced out of her position as a result of misconduct claims she staunchly denies. Stone, who served as head coach for 27 seasons, resigned in June 2023 amid an investigation into allegations of a toxic environment within the program.

Details of the Allegations and Investigative Context

The allegations against Stone, initially surfaced by *The Boston Globe* last year, include claims of making derogatory remarks about Native Americans, body-shaming players, and overseeing a culture of hazing. Though the hazing incidents were reportedly not directly managed by Stone, she faced criticism for not preventing them. A detailed report by *The Athletic* revealed that upperclassmen allegedly coerced freshmen into participating in an annual "naked skate," an event during which some freshmen were instructed to perform a “superman” slide on the ice, resulting in severe ice burns and bleeding nipples. Furthermore, "Initiation Week" was purported to involve underclassmen being pressured into mimicking sexual acts and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.

While *The Athletic* did not find direct evidence linking Stone to these hazing practices, Stone has persistently denied having any knowledge of or responsibility for the incidents in question.

Stone’s Legal Claims and Assertions

In the lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Stone denounces her forced resignation as a manifestation of a broader systemic issue at Harvard University, asserting that female coaches are undervalued, underpaid, and held to a markedly stricter standard of conduct compared to their male counterparts. Stone’s legal team argues that her dismissal was not merely a response to the misconduct allegations but also indicative of deep-rooted gender inequities that disproportionately affect female coaches.

During a news conference reported by *The Boston Globe*, Stone expressed her profound distress, stating, “The loss of my career, my reputation, my ability to earn a living doing a job I love, is gut-wrenching. The damage has been real and affects me every single day.” She criticized the university for perpetuating what she views as systemic injustice and inequity within one of the world’s elite academic institutions.

Harvard’s Response and Allegations of Gender-Based Discrimination

Harvard University has refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation, citing its policy of not discussing active legal matters. Stone’s complaint further alleges that the accusations against her were motivated by a “personal vendetta” from former players and contends that their reports were misleading and inaccurate. Stone’s legal team claims that despite Harvard’s public denial of a hazing culture within the team, the university tacitly supported this narrative by forcing her resignation.

The lawsuit asserts that had Stone been a male coach, such a situation would not have occurred. It argues that Harvard has historically permitted, if not endorsed, similar behaviors by male coaches without repercussions. The complaint cites a 2016 investigation into the Harvard men’s soccer team, which faced criticism for ranking female soccer players based on their physical appeal, yet the male coaches involved were not disciplined.

Allegations of Pay Discrimination

The lawsuit also raises issues of gender-based pay discrimination, alleging that Stone was compensated at a significantly lower rate compared to her male counterpart, the men’s hockey coach. Stone claims that Harvard has been uncooperative in disclosing compensation disparities between male and female coaches, further exacerbating her grievances.

Stone’s Tenure and Legacy

Katey Stone, who assumed the role of head coach for Harvard’s women’s hockey team prior to the 1994-95 season, has had a storied coaching career with over 500 victories to her name. Her tenure included leading her team to six Frozen Four appearances and four NCAA championship games. In her lawsuit, Stone seeks damages totaling no less than $5 million, targeting both Harvard University and the 50 Jane Doe defendants implicated in her alleged defamation.

As the legal proceedings progress, this case is anticipated to draw significant attention to gender equity issues and the treatment of female coaches within prestigious academic institutions.