Alleged anti-gay bias at University of Minnesota – Duluth attracts more litigation

Last month we reported that former University of Minnesota – Duluth women’s hockey coach Shannon Miller had finally prevailed in a years-long lawsuit. A jury awarded the openly gay Miller more than $3.7 million for sex discrimination.

The university athletics department’s legal woes aren’t over.

Now, former softball coach and women’s hockey director of operations Jen Banford and former women’s basketball coach Annette Wiles are suing in state court, alleging the university discriminated against them on the basis of their sexual orientation.

Originally Banford and Wiles had joined Miller in her federal suit, but the judge dismissed their sexual orientation claims for lack of jurisdiction. The judge has ordered the parties to a settlement conference to address all outstanding complaints.