Emails obtained by Fox News Digital show a former Yale University deputy general counsel informing attorney Alan Granovsky, who represented former strength and conditioning coach Thomas Newman, that a former employee recorded part of a meeting with Newman without the university's knowledge.

The email responded to a letter from Granovsky dated August 13, 2025, titled "Ongoing Reputational Harm and Misstatements Regarding Thomas Newman." It stated: "A former employee recorded a portion of a meeting with your client, without the university's knowledge." The counsel, who retired in January 2025, also denied that Yale made defamatory statements about Newman or disclosed medical information inappropriately.[1]

In an October 10 email, Granovsky wrote that administrators Ann-Marie Guglieri, executive deputy director and chief operating officer of athletics, and Vicky Chun, Yale's athletic director since July 2021,[2] attempted to use the recording for disciplinary purposes despite knowing it was unauthorized and refused to provide a copy or transcript.

A November 17 email from Granovsky alleged the recording violated Connecticut General Statutes § 52-570d, which prohibits recording private telephonic communications without the consent of all parties, creating civil and criminal liabilities.[3] It also cited Yale Policy 9001 prohibiting surreptitious recordings.

Newman, who led Yale athletics' strength and conditioning team for five years, resigned voluntarily in March 2021. He confirmed to Fox News Digital that the emails were exchanged but declined further comment.

Separately, Keith Allain, who coached Yale men's ice hockey for 19 seasons before retiring in April 2024,[4] sent a letter in October 2024 to Yale President Maurine McInnis criticizing Chun's leadership as dishonest and creating a toxic environment, at the urging of other coaches. Allain confirmed writing the letter but offered no further comment.

No Yale administrators have been implicated in illegal activity. Yale's president's office and athletic department did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

Sources

1. Fox News Digital, "EXCLUSIVE: Emails obtained by Fox News Digital show a former Yale University administrator...", November 2024 (exact date approximate based on content), https://www.foxnews.com/sports/exclusive-emails-yale-admin-recording-coach-thomas-newman
2. Yale University Athletics, "Vicky Chun - Director of Athletics", Accessed December 2024, https://yalebulldogs.com/staff-directory/vicky-chun/304
3. Connecticut General Assembly, "Sec. 52-570d. Action for illegal recording of private telephonic communication", Current statutes accessed December 2024, https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_925.htm#sec_52-570d
4. Yale University Athletics, "Keith Allain to step down after 19 seasons as Yale men's hockey head coach", April 12, 2024, https://yalebulldogs.com/news/2024/4/12/mens-ice-hockey-keith-allain-to-step-down-after-19-seasons.aspx