Judge: Former University of Minnesota golf coach proved discrimination

A Hennepin County judge has found that a former University of Minnesota women's golf coach was discriminated against because she's a lesbian.

Judge Thomas Sipkins ruled Tuesday that former coach Kathryn Brenny is entitled to double her back pay and compensation for mental anguish -- in all, $359,588, plus attorneys' fees.

Sipkins said Brenny's treatment by the school and by John Harris, who was then head of the university's golf program, was discriminatory and broke the law.

Brenny originally named Harris as a defendant, along with the university, but in May 2012, the Minnesota Court of Appeals dismissed the claim against him.

Harris did not respond to an email request from the St. Paul Pioneer Press for comment.

The university says it's disappointed and will review the findings.

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