Ex-U of Minnesota Duluth coaches file discrimination lawsuit

“The University’s discrimination against Plaintiffs related to their compensation, facilities, privileges of employment, and Plaintiffs’ terms and conditions of employment and prevented them from discharging their duties as head women’s hockey, softball, and basketball coaches”, the lawsuit alleges.

Miller, from Melville, Sask., led the Bulldogs to five NCAA women’s championships in her 16 seasons there.

In addition to coaching softball, Banford was the director of operations for the hockey team. She has accused the university of Title IX violations and discrimination based on her gender and because she’s gay.

“We continue to refute the allegations and claims of discrimination and will aggressively defend ourselves in the lawsuit”, UMD chancellor Lendley Black said in a statement.

“UMD continues its focus and commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and I am personally committed to continuing an environment where diversity is embraced”. In February, Banford rejected a one-year contract offer from UMD to remain as softball coach after the end of the 2015 season.

Miller, the former women’s hockey coach, alleges that her contract was not renewed “because she is an openly gay women, from Canada, and/or is over 40 years old”. The lawsuit calls her “the most successful women’s hockey coach in NCAA history”.

The 45-page complaint alleges that Wiles, the former women’s basketball coach, was “forced” to resign in June “due to the hostile and discriminatory environment created by the University”, according to the Star Tribune. The Bulldog women won three straight national titles from 2001 to 2003 and again in 2008 and 2010 under Miller. Before coming to Duluth, Miller was a player and then coach on the Canadian national team. They did not join in the lawsuit.

The coaches have scheduled a Monday afternoon news conference to discuss their legal action.

The coaches are suing the Board of Regents because that 12-person group “is the governing body of the University of Minnesota – including without limitation the governing body for the University of Minnesota-Duluth”, the lawsuit reads. Miller had accepted pay cuts previously to help the school and was willing to take another but was never given that opportunity before the meeting, it says.

With files from The Canadian Press.