In a significant legal victory, David Marvin, the long-time head coach of the Warroad High School girls hockey team, has won a defamation lawsuit against six individuals who falsely accused him of criminal conduct. The settlement, reached this week, involved written apologies from the defendants and a $5,000 donation to a charity in Marvin’s name.
Marvin, who has led his team to multiple state championships, faced severe personal and professional attacks from the group of parents, including accusations of sexual harassment and abuse. These allegations were disseminated through a widely shared letter and podcast interviews, damaging his reputation and causing significant distress.
The settlement requires the Lanctot family and the other defendants to issue formal apologies and contribute to Sophie’s Squad, a charity supporting athlete mental health. Marvin expressed relief that the matter has been resolved and is eager to return to focusing on coaching.