Former Stockton University Head Coach Files Federal Lawsuit Against Atlantic City Officials

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Alan Rhoads, the former head coach of Stockton University’s men’s hockey program, has filed a comprehensive 21-page lawsuit against the City of Atlantic City and several key officials. The lawsuit, lodged in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage, accuses the city's officials of violating Rhoads' civil rights after he was banned from the Atlantic City Skate Zone—an essential facility for the university’s hockey team. The ban, which Rhoads claims was a retaliatory act, led to the termination of his coaching position as he was unable to attend practices or games. Rhoads’ suit names several defendants, including Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Public Information Officer Andrew Kramer, Manager Samm D’Amore, and employee Thomas Gleghorn, as well as several unidentified city officials. The complaint, filed on May 21, 2025, alleges that Rhoads was punished for exercising his right to free speech and engaging in what he describes as “rightful civic activism.”