Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
Matt Sepic

Minnesota Supreme Court rules high school coaches are not public officials

Conclusion of Minnesota Supreme Court decision
In an opinion published Wednesday, Justice Natalie Hudson wrote that even though McGuire was a public employee, his coaching duties "are ancillary to core functions of government; put simply, basketball is not fundamental to democracy."
MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that a former Woodbury High School basketball coach can move forward with a defamation lawsuit against one of his player's parents.

In 2015, Nathan McGuire sued a group of parents alleging they made false and defamatory statements about him.

Two parents had filed maltreatment reports on behalf of their daughters, but court documents say there's no evidence the girls were mistreated.

A lower court tossed out McGuire’s case, and he did not appeal the dismissal of all his claims.

But he did push back against one parent, Julie A. Bowlin, who argued that because McGuire was a public official, he must meet the standard of actual malice and prove that the defendants made their statements with reckless disregard for the truth.

A unanimous Minnesota Supreme Court sided with McGuire.

In an opinion published Wednesday, Justice Natalie Hudson wrote that even though McGuire was a public employee, his coaching duties "are ancillary to core functions of government; put simply, basketball is not fundamental to democracy."