Harvard Files Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit from Ex-Hockey Coach Katey Stone

Harvard filed a motion to dismiss a gender discrimination lawsuit from former women’s ice hockey coach Katey Stone on Monday, calling her claims “largely untimely and without merit.”

Stone resigned last year amid an investigation by the University into her coaching practices and allegations of misconduct from former players who said she fostered a toxic environment on the team. She sued Harvard in July, alleging that she was “the victim of a targeted attack by the University.”

But Harvard attorneys said Monday that most of Stone’s claims fell outside the statute of limitation and disputed her allegation that she was targeted based on her gender.

The attorneys argued that “the factual allegations in the Complaint do not plausibly point in the direction of discrimination and away from the ‘obvious alternative explanation’ that Stone was separated from Harvard due to mounting concerns regarding her conduct as head coach — concerns that were publicized.”

In an email, Andrew T. Miltenberg, one of Stone’s attorneys, wrote that “we intend to oppose Harvard’s motion and will continue to seek justice for the mistreatment she suffered.”

A Harvard spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

The public uproar around Stone’s employment began in January 2023 after the Boston Globe and The Athletic both published investigations into Stone’s behavior detailing players’ complaints with team culture.

In the articles, several former players alleged Stone failed to police hazing which included binge drinking, sexualized acts, and a “naked skate” which the Athletic reported as leaving some with “ice burns and bleeding nipples.”

Stone has denied the allegations of misconduct.

Following the release of the Globe article, Harvard Athletic Director Erin McDermott told Stone that “this wouldn’t be happening to a men’s coach,” Stone alleged in the complaint, adding that the remark was evidence of gender-based discrimination.

Though the University did not dispute McDermott having made the remark, the filing said it was “a stray comment criticizing the media’s coverage,” not an indication of gender discrimination within Harvard Athletics.

“Accordingly, the Complaint does not make factual allegations that plausibly show Stone was treated less favorably than any similarly situated male comparator, nor that her separation from Harvard was based on gender, and therefore, fails to state a claim for gender discrimination,” the motion stated.

—Staff writer Jo B. Lemann can be reached at jo.lemann@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @Jo_Lemann.

—Staff writer Tyler J.H. Ory can be reached at tyler.ory@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @tyler_ory.