What do you do?

[concernedparent]

What do you do about a program:
-major D1 program
-relatively decent record in the past (not great, but got into post season a few times), terrible record now
-coach is a tyrant- bullies players, throws equipment, physically pushes them to the point of absolute exhaustion and disregards any bodily harm or injuries, uncommunicative to players in general
-NCAA violations- regarding practice hours, etc
-girls have approached administrator "in charge" for a couple of years- the only result was that the administrator let the coach know who had complained
-team morale is nonexistant
-girls themselves get along well

These girls want to play, they want the education from this school, they want the team to be a better place to play.

What can they do? Who do they turn to without jeopardizing the program? Many are scared if they say anything they will be cut. They are NOT happy, but they don't want to be cut, they want it fixed.

Any suggestions?

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Get the abuse on video and go to a TV station, if things are truly this bad.

I remember a basketball program doing that.

 

[Easton33]

4 letters should solve your problem..... ESPN.

 

[concernedparent]

Not sure how to tape it. Girls can't. Parents are mainly out of state.

 

[riseball]

No to rub salt in the wound, but how did your DD not know what she was getting in to? Has this been going on for a while, or is this something new? I hear this story every year. You have to make sure the program, not just the school is a good fit. Four years is a very long time to endure such a negative environment. Taping is a good idea. However, be very careful. Privacy laws differ from state to state and you can easily run afoul of wiretapping laws especially if recording video and audio.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Well, then, audio tape it. Heck we were able to do that, way back in the dark ages of 1972.

 

[riseball]

Well, then, audio tape it. Heck we were able to do that, way back in the dark ages of 1972.

Audio is usually the problem not video. Arizona is a one-party consent state. Many states require two-party consent.

 

[Sparky Guy]

Unfortunately, there are many "Good Ol' Boys" clubs in colleges like anywhere else in the world. They look out for each other, even if they have to distort some pesky rules. It sounds like the players may be fighting an uphill battle at the school level.

The players need to list specific violations, dates, times and names. They will also have to list any communication they've had with the school administration and the results of their grievances by the administration. They will need to do it as a unit. If the school refuses to act then contact the NCAA and hand the complaints to them.

If the NCAA fails to do anything then as suggested.... ESPN as a last resort. Even then there's no guarantee they will want to run another abusive coach story. They can try to get the local media involved. But if the school spends a lot of money with the local media they may not want to run the story fearing upsetting the powers who run the school.

One other option they have is to lose and keep losing. It will be rough and the Tyrant will get even worse. Sooner or later if they lose enough the school will be forced to replace the coach. But that could be a very long and painful process.

 

[Easton33]

My DD's coach was fired here recently because of the way he talked to the players. It isn't a D1 school, but college level nonetheless. It started with one parent taking exception to his behavior and letting him know about it after the game. Billy Martin style. After security was called there was a meeting with theAD, a meeting with the players, and then he was gone.

 

[absdad]

I would imagine that if the NCAA came calling on an AD about some things that were brought to their attention, then the situation would get some light. Doubtful that anything would happen at the school, they'll just bury it and protect their own. It probably needs outside intervention.