Allegations against W Gymnastics coaches
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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Not going to read the whole thing - is this a couple of isolated incidents? Or a program wide thing with several accusers?
Another Collegian article about alleged coaching abuse where only one side of the case is illuminated. Did Ms. Mallon and Ms. McCarthy try to talk to or include comments from any gymnast who liked the Thompsons and enjoyed their WGYM experience?
Telling a student-athlete to lose weight is hardly coaching abuse, although there are good and bad ways to deliver the message. And there's a difference between competing while you're "hurt" and competing while you're "injured." The former is acceptable, the latter is not.
The most damning note in the article is that an entire class of recruits either quit the sport or transferred. Some transfers are part of the landscape in college sports these days, but when you have high numbers of transfers, that's a signal that something needs to be addressed. It's also concerning that a very experienced and respected assistant coach refused to work with the Thompsons after a semester on the job. She was the third person in that job in the past three years.
Telling a student-athlete to lose weight is hardly coaching abuse, although there are good and bad ways to deliver the message. And there's a difference between competing while you're "hurt" and competing while you're "injured." The former is acceptable, the latter is not.
The most damning note in the article is that an entire class of recruits either quit the sport or transferred. Some transfers are part of the landscape in college sports these days, but when you have high numbers of transfers, that's a signal that something needs to be addressed. It's also concerning that a very experienced and respected assistant coach refused to work with the Thompsons after a semester on the job. She was the third person in that job in the past three years.
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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Once I have my Degree in Bachelors, I'm going start rooting for my new favorite alma mater.
..or heck, even a head coach punching out an opposing player.
The article references that gymnasts dating back to the coachs' tenure at Auburn have put forth similar stories - although I admit I just skimmed the article.
Keep in mind that it seems as though the primary allegations are from events in 2012, although the complaint was delivered to the AD recently. But, again, that's just based on a skimmed read.
Sandy Barbour Director of Athletics 814-865-1086 Athletic_Director
@athletics.psu.edu
Phil Esten Deputy Director of Athletics & Chief Operating Officer 814-867-6115 esten@psu.edu
Charmelle Green Senior Associate AD, Student-Athlete Performance, Health and Welfare, SWA 814-865-1104 cag30@psu.edu
Lynn Holleran Senior Associate AD, Administration 814-867-6352 lkh5222@psu.edu
Rick Kaluza Senior Associate AD, Finance and Business Operations 814-865-7780 rck11@psu.edu
Dave Baker Associate AD, Business Operations 814-863-0270 dlb3@psu.edu
Mark Bodenschatz Associate AD, Facility & Event Operations Management 814-863-3489 mab163@psu.edu
Tom McGrath Associate AD, Business Relations 814-865-9080 ctm14@psu.edu
Jeff Nelson Associate AD, Strategic Communications 814-863-3160 jtn4@psu.edu
Matt Stolberg Associate AD, Compliance 814-863-8048 mas908@psu.edu
Mark Wharton Associate AD, Development 814-865-9462 mtw13@psu.edu
Michael Cross Assistant AD, New Business Development 814-867-1296 mcross@psu.edu
Keith Embray Assistant AD, Student-Athlete Welfare and Development 814-863-7040 kwe2@psu.edu
_________________________________
Welcome to the Brave New World of PSU Athletics
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I have read the full article; the primary concern from my perspective is the series of meetings held between the primary complainant and Charmelle Green at some point in 2015, in which Green said she looked into the matter and found nothing actionable. The formal complaint - it seems that the meeting between Green and the primary complainant was more unofficial - was filed last week with the athletic department.
The complaints are from multiple athletes, spanning multiple years and are all similar in nature. I don't know much about gymnastics, but an entire freshmen class (8 gymnasts) all being removed from the team or quitting before finishing their careers is an indication, to me, that something isn't right.
The complaints are from multiple athletes, spanning multiple years and are all similar in nature. I don't know much about gymnastics, but an entire freshmen class (8 gymnasts) all being removed from the team or quitting before finishing their careers is an indication, to me, that something isn't right.
Same thing happened when Marshall AXXXX was the assistant coach. It was reported to then AD who said the same comment as now and Heidi Anderson left the program and we have never recovered. I called Phil Grosz and told him the story before the news broke, if anyone needs verification.
If 1/3 of that story is true then there needs to be a through housecleaning in our athletic department, not just these two coaches.
Hahaha, I read it, Urban would call this type of behavior from coaches "thinning out the herd. Insubstantial Players with insubstantial skill, move on.
LOL..did you read Urbs comments on Jones? Pretty funny stuff.
It is only one side but it is troubling. There should be a thorough investigation into into the merits of the allegations and, if true in whole or in part, appropriate action should be taken.
While I personally can't speak to Cardale's intelligence or lack thereof, I do know that there are plenty of people who are smart but not "good at school." Let's face it...it takes a certain amount of discipline and focus to force yourself to study, do homework, get to class, and all the rest. Some aren't cut out for that, for whatever reason. And if you look back at Cardale's life growing up, it's no wonder that he may be that way. Kid was basically homeless, until a teacher took him in. She bought him the first pair of new shoes he'd ever owned.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2015/01/02/wonderful-wonderful-story/
Who hired the Thompson's - sounds like they came as a "package deal" from Auburn, because I find it hard to believe that PSU's AD would approve and allow a Coach to hire a husband or wife as the lead Assistant Coach if they signed a contract with PSU that did not already include it.
The fact the AD associated with and hired to investigate this did nothing after the meeting says something. Not like this new AD would have reason to 'hide' things considering why and who she was hired by. So let the facts come out, but I doubt it is nearly as one-sided as it appears from that article.
"Housecleaning"?
LOL
Sandy is taking resumes to add another half-dozen "Student Athlete Wellness" Associate-Assistant-Associate ADs......'cause, you know, its all for the kids!
BTW - - - Anyone notice all the trash and garbage on top of all the buildings (restrooms, concession stands etc) underneath the student seating sections?
Now, yes, it would be wonderful if the students didn't toss so much crap down from the upper levels.....but, maybe, just maybe, sometime between November and April - SOMEONE - in the ICA Dept would actually be proactive enough to say "How's about we clean up all that crap?"
Maybe we need another Assistant-Associate-Assistant AD in charge of "Opening Eyes, Noticing Garbage, and Policing up the Area"?
But, alas, that would actually require "work".....or awarding a seven-figure contract to some consulting firm to come up with a Master Plan for Trash Removal.
I know nothing of these people and the article paints a most unflattering portrait. Still. I'd like to hear a fuller account from the other side. For example, there are some former gymnasts who have a more positive remembrance of the Thompsons - as expressed in the comments to the article.
Alex Witt ·
Medical Assistant at Suncoast Skin Solutions
Honestly this is absurd.. Collegiate athletics is not meant for everyone and is not an easy thing to accomplish and be successful with. With that being said, I just graduated in May and was a member of the gymnastics team for four years and would kill to go back a redo my entire experience with the Thompsons. I learned so much about myself and how to be successful in the real world and am grateful for every moment with them. -Alex Witt
Like · Reply ·
Krystal Welsh ·
Clarkson University
I absolutely agree, Alex! These were the best memories of our life! Penn State Proud! -Krystal Welsh
Like · Reply ·
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They were hired in July, 2010, so Tim Curley was the AD when they were hired.
Also of interest, I believe that Kera Molinaro has been the interim assistant coach since Samantha Brown left the program in January. Kera was a volunteer assistant coach with the program last year, and is also the wife of Frank Molinaro (Tank), a former PSU wrestler who is now an assistant PSU wrestling coach, and also the recent winner of the US Olympic Freestyle Wrestling trials at 65 kg.
The Thompsons were hired as a "package deal" from Auburn. There are a few other colleges with husband-wife WGYM coaching teams. It's not that unusual in WGYM.
There are some former gymnasts who have disagreed in the comments.
Alex Witt ·
Medical Assistant at Suncoast Skin Solutions
Honestly this is absurd.. Collegiate athletics is not meant for everyone and is not an easy thing to accomplish and be successful with. With that being said, I just graduated in May and was a member of the gymnastics team for four years and would kill to go back a redo my entire experience with the Thompsons. I learned so much about myself and how to be successful in the real world and am grateful for every moment with them. -Alex Witt
Like · Reply ·3 · 1 hr
Krystal Welsh ·
Clarkson University
I absolutely agree, Alex! These were the best memories of our life! Penn State Proud! -Krystal Welsh
Like · Reply ·3 · 1 hr
That's interesting. Clearly Barbour has to look into it fully, but I would say to be careful forming final opinions on 1 article written by college students that only gives 1 side. It's written by the same 2 people who wrote the women's hockey article.
Don't doubt that, which is why I said they were likely brought on as a package deal. Had only one of them been brought on via contract, I believe it would be much more difficult to "hire" your spouse AFTER you already signed a contract that had no such provision (e.g., authorization to hire your spouse). Tom didn't state it as a direct comparison, but your spouse getting hired by the University would be different than being hired by, and reporting directly to, yourself.
100% agree. And these complaints are eerily similar to recent complaints about the women's hockey staff. Have to wonder who is/was in charge of the hiring process. By the way, a husband and wife team running a sport is not a good idea (even though IIRC we had a good duo way back in the day).
Josh Brandwene (the women's hockey coach) was hired in May 2011, which would have made him a Curley hire, as well.
One side of the story, but interesting that this person went to Green, just like women's hockey players did, and then... nothing. Either there's not much to these, or a certain someone has a habit of dropping the ball.
Stink,
Go to this link and seach the page for AD, (that's AD with a comma). You get 27 matches. So plus Sandy, that's 28.
http://www.gopsusports.com/administration/staff-directory.html
I have no idea what other major universities have...does anyone know?
I was the student athletic trainer for the women's team when Marshall and Judy Avernor were coaching the team. There was seldom a day at practice that went by without some tears over something and yelling over weight issues. A half pound over weight got you tossed out of the White building gym. These teams were filled with great gymnasts winning national championships. But, they were hard as hell on those girls.
You all need to get out more. It's not like the old days.
http://www.msuspartans.com/school-bio/directory.html
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/staffdir/osu-staffdir.html
http://m.rolltide.com/m/staffdir/alab-staffdir.html
http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208445402
http://www.virginiasports.com/staffdir/staff-directory.html
http://www.goduke.com/StaffDirectory.dbml
Well there are 2 sides to every story but reading through this makes me want to agree with you. If my daughter were on that team and treated that way I'd personally drag the coach out behind the gym and give him a beat down. Although the wife part of this coaching team... very doable.
You gotta spend money to lose money
And, the plan works best if the folks you spend money on do absolutely nothing to lend value to the enterprise!!
BRILLIANT!!!!!!
