Track Coach Sued

Southern University’s track coach was sued for sexual harassment in a lawsuit claiming he patted, pinched or kissed at least 30 women on the track team.

The suit, filed Friday in the 19th Judicial District, also accused coach Johnny Thomas of soliciting sexual favors and of committing other unspecified sexual acts.

The lawyer filing the suit wants a judge to make it a class-action lawsuit, claiming the sexual harassment involved at least 30 women who ran track at Southern.

Thomas said the suit surprised him: “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. That’s all news to me.”