Tuesday, April 15, 2014 @msureporter
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Minnesota State University, Mankato
TUESDAY
Chilly with clouds WEDNESDAY A bit of rain TUESDAY and sun L 66 WEDNESDAY and snow L 66 L: 34 H: 50 L: 30
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H 86 THURSDAY
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Mostly cloudy THURSDAY and colder L 66 L: 30
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Arbitration rules in favor of former MSU head coach A reinstatement of dismissed head football coach Todd Hoffner with back pay is called for after arbitrator rules in his favor. SAM WILMES News Editor
Web Photo Former MSU head football coach Todd Hoffner will make his decision this afternoon to either stay on as head coach at Minot State University or be reinstated to his former team here at MSU.
An arbitrator ruled on Thursday that the university was wrong in terminating former MSU Head Football Coach Todd Hoffner last spring. In his 72-page decision, arbritator Gerard Wallin declared that the university was under no grounds to fire Hoffner. This is the latest in a series of defeats for the University in this case. On November 30, 2012, Blue Earth County District Judge Krista Jass dismissed the charges of child pornography due to the lack of probable cause. Hoffner was fired in May 2013. Hoffner, who recently accepted the Minot State head coaching position, is considering coming back to Mankato, according to his wife Melodee. A final decision from Hoffner will be made today at 3 p.m. Hoffner’s lawyer wants ex-
tensive punishment for university administration members responsible for the decision to terminate Hoffner. MSU will be required to pay the $11, 190 difference between Hoffner’s $101,190 salary at Minnesota State University, Mankato and his $90,000 salary at Minot State. MSU released the following statement on the matter: “Minnesota State University, Mankato is aware of news reports regarding Mr. Todd Hoffner. As a general matter we can say that employers are obligated to abide by arbitration awards, whether or not they agree with their terms. Minnesota State University, Mankato does not have further information to provide at this time.” “I’m hoping that after the powers that be carefully review the decision that they’re going to clean house at Minnesota State University,” Hoffner’s attorney Chris Madel told the Star Tri-
bune. “Anybody that had any decision making authority with respect to Todd Hoffner’s employment should resign or be fired,” Madel said. Attorney James Fleming, hired by the Hoffner family when charges were brought against him in August 2012, disapproves of the university’s response to the charges. Fleming described a county human services worker placing the Hoffner kids back in the home on the same day the charges were stated as proof that there wasn’t anything criminal taking place. “It’s pretty telling that the arbitrator knocked down every argument the university put forward for firing Todd Hoffner,” Fleming said. “Although the time between August 21 - November 30, 2012 (When the charges of child por-
HOFFNER • Page 3
MSU student killed in St. Paul SAM WILMES News Editor The police are investigating the death of Nicholas Stephan, 22, who was killed at a St. Paul Apartment complex while visiting friends. Police were called at 10:11 p.m. on April 4 to an apartment complex near Shepard Road in Downtown St. Paul. According to the Mankato Free Press, no other details were available from St. Paul police. Stephan was reportedly set to acquire an internship he had been pursuing for months.
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Services for Mr. Stephan will be on Saturday, April 26 at Mattson Funeral Home in Forrest Lake and there is a memorial being planned on campus for next week. “He was truly a delight, he was a fun loving kid,” Environmental Science Professor and Stephan’s advisor Beth Proctor said. “He made people laugh, was passionate and loved the outdoors.” “It is so sad to see what happened, to lose a 22-year old, a young man like this who had so much promise, who was so full of life.”
His obituary reads: “He was a source of energy and inspiration to everyone he touched. His growth into a terrific young man was a great joy for his family and friends. Nick was known for his spontaneous spirit, his smile and his laughter were contagious. Nick was passionate about all the outdoors: snowboarding, water skiing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, riding his motorcycle and loved a good bonfire. Cut off muscle shirts in florescent colors, camouflage or lime green hoodies with lime green tennis shoes is totally appropriate attire!”
Web Photo 22-year-old Nicholas Stephan was shot and killed on Friday, April 4.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL HITS CSU - PG. 2
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