CHICAGO (AP) — A former Loyola University basketball player said women’s coach Sheryl Swoopes created a hostile environment and routinely threatened to cut players from the roster or have their scholarships scrapped.
The university said last week it was investigating the women’s basketball program after allegations of player mistreatment surfaced. Details of the allegations were not released.
Former player Cate Soan told ABC’s “Good Morning America†in a segment broadcast Thursday that Swoopes, who has coached at Loyola for three seasons, made her feel “belittled†and “humiliated.â€
“It made it hard to play,†she said. “It wasn’t about working hard and having fun anymore. It was about surviving.â€
The environment became so hostile players were turning on one another and mistrust spread throughout the athletic department, Soan said.
Ten of the 12 players who were expected to return from the current team have been granted or asked for releases to transfer from the private Chicago university.
Deputy athletic director Jermaine Truax said last week the allegations were “more than concerning†and Swoopes “will fully cooperate†with the investigation.
Swoopes led Texas Tech to the 1993 NCAA title and was the first player signed by the WNBA. She won four straight titles with the Houston Comets.