Katey Stone, long time Harvard coach, has been under fire since a report surfaced in January 2023 in The Boston Globe outlining “degrading and dispiriting” outbursts involving racism, and the creation of a “toxic environment.”
According to The Boston Globe’s Bob Hohler, allegations against Stone included “body shaming,” “pressure to return from concussions and other injuries,” “adverse influence on academics,” “insensitivity to mental health issues,” “contradictory disciplinary standards,” “negative motivator,” and “hazing.”
Less than six months later, Stone, who had been Harvard’s head coach since the 1994-1995 season, and had also served as head coach for Team USA’s women’s national team at three World Championships and the 2014 Olympic Games, retired. It’s a retirement she now calls “forced.”
Tuesday, more than a year after her retirement, Stone spoke publicly regarding the allegations for the first time.
Stone stated that during the initial allegations Harvard instructed her to remain quiet.
The lawsuit itself, addressed the most specific claims Stone is making against Harvard.
“By way of example, and not limitation, at one point Defendant Harvard alleged, erroneously, that the men’s ice hockey head coach deserved more compensation than Coach Stone ‘because he [Harvard’s men’s hockey coach] has to make quicker in-game decisions,'” the lawsuit states.
“Not only is this a wildly inappropriate excuse for unequal pay, but it is also entirely false, as the length of men’s hockey games on average are longer than women’s, as the time between whistle stoppages of play are extended for men’s coaches during games.”
In her address Stone spoke to the culture she believed she instilled at Harvard.
“These days when coaches, more specifically female coaches, challenge athletes to to bring out their best, they are taking a significant risk…” she said, addressing the unequal criticism women in coaching face.
“Women who are strong, competent, and competitive coaches were once looked up to as role models, today, these female coaches are viewed by too many athletes, parents, and administrators as being harmful, even ’emotionally abusive’,” she said.
“The unequal treatment of female coaches at Harvard must end,” Stone said in her address.
Stone said the investigation into her actions was “rooted” in gender bias and discrimination.
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Source Agencies
