Sheryl Swoopes, one of the greatest women's basketball players ever, was fired this weekend as head coach of Loyola University in Chicago after players alleged a pattern of mistreatment.
The student paper the Loyoal Phoenix has a summary of the allegations:
Deputy Director of Athletics Jermaine Truax announced the investigation into Swoopes and her program on April 15 after The PHOENIX reported that 10 of Swoopes’ 12 returning players had quit the team or asked to be released from their scholarships, many due to alleged mistreatment by Swoopes and her staff. Those departures included redshirt junior standouts Taylor Johnson and Taylor Manuel in what turned out to be a mass exodus just one year after five players departed the team prematurely. The details of the investigation have not been disclosed.
Two players on the 2015-16 roster, who had requested anonymity, told The PHOENIX in April that Swoopes had a tendency to "cross the line" when dealing with certain players and their personal lives. Those players said Swoopes micromanaged their lives outside of basketball and shared personal information about the players with the team, recruits and members of the Athletic Department.
Other allegations detailed Swoopes and her staff’s humiliation of players for their running or shooting styles, comments on physical appearances and pitting of players against one another. Swoopes fostered an uncomfortable environment with a general lack of respect and professionalism, according to multiple players.
Through her representative, Swoopes, 45, responded: "In response to the inquires made about the investigation, Sheryl is pleased and comfortable with its outcomes," said Kimberly Blackwell. "She is disappointed, however, with the actions that have followed. In respect of the [July 4] holiday, we plan to have Sheryl's voice heard at an appropriate time."
Swoopes, who had a record at Loyola of 31-62, made headlines when she came out as gay in 2005. She broke up with her female partner in 2011 and then announced her engagement to a man later than year.
