Mental Health, Abuse and reporting in Women's Lacrosse

[Brownlax]

So we see all these very supportive organizations on mental health all over social and being brought to college campuses yet athletes are still afraid to speak up about toxic coaches, why is that? Unfortuantely I know one or two athletes who are dealing with toxic coaches but no one wants to come forward. The schools which they attend allow "anonymous reporting" via a compliance center but how anonymous is it really? The fear of retaliation is very real as evidenced by upper classman who voiced their concerns years prior and were ultimately benched. What does every one consider toxic? Demeaning, degrading comments? Passive aggresive remarks that systematically breaks some one down and these remarks come where no one else witnesses it? Or humilating an athelet in front of other players? What does one do when there are three or four coaches on staff and one is the bully? not necissarily the head coach but an assistant and the others meekly sit by and allow that one to bully and intimidate atheletes? And when the meek coaches are without the bully they are completely different people? Seriously the mental abuse has to stop. When will coaches get it?

I know of a coach that was actually under investigation from the school. During the investigation she held a team meeting and said to the girls - "I know some of your parents have a big problem with me, do any of you have a problem with me?" What kid is going to raise their hand nad let her know?

She was made to take classes to self improve - that's all.

[Relax77]

This whole mental health in women's lacrosse is a farce. The best I heard it summed up was from a 16 year old girl from my daughter’s team. She told the parents if these college coaches were actually concerned about women’s mental health you would think they would handle recruiting differently. Between the way they ghost and stringing girls along. Why don’t they all just say you’re number 5 on our list. That’s what they expect us to do when they ask us where are they on our college list.

I definitely agree with her. None of these coaches are concerned about mental health. They’re concerned about winning. And that’s fine, but let’s not be hypocritical about it.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

I've heard some brutal stories from players, past and current, about how coaches are. I'm stunned at some of the things they are able to get away with. Just absolutely degrading methods of "motivating" those under their charge--like depriving them of toilet paper on a long bus ride home from a game because the coach wasn't pleased with their play. These are adults we're talking about here. I'm amazed they're able to get away with it. And fear is indeed a big factor, which the upperclassers get involved with as well, intimidating the underclassers to not saying anything so as to preserve the "harmony" on the team.

Such dysfunction in 21st century collegiate America is mind-boggling. And nothing will change until the NCAA gets off its lazy, fat, money-grubbing ass and starts getting involved.

[GratefulRed]

I definitely agree with her. None of these coaches are concerned about mental health. They’re concerned about winning. And that’s fine, but let’s not be hypocritical about it.

HEALTHIER PLAYERS = MORE WINNING!

Not either/or. If coaches don't embrace every opportunity to support healthier players, do they really want to win? It takes time, effort, resources and culture shift. Only the coaches who invest (wisely, of course) in supporting mental health stand to see the return on that investment (winning).

Not calling you out at all, Relax. Just pointing out the disconnect.

[Relax77]

I definitely agree with her. None of these coaches are concerned about mental health. They’re concerned about winning. And that’s fine, but let’s not be hypocritical about it.

HEALTHIER PLAYERS = MORE WINNING!

Not either/or. If coaches don't embrace every opportunity to support healthier players, do they really want to win? It takes time, effort, resources and culture shift. Only the coaches who invest (wisely, of course) in supporting mental health stand to see the return on that investment (winning).

Not calling you out at all, Relax. Just pointing out the disconnect.

I think you missed the point. She is 10000000% accurate. If they cared for mental health, they wouldn’t heck with the 15 they call, don’t take, but string along. All they care about is who they commit.

[GratefulRed]

I definitely agree with her. None of these coaches are concerned about mental health. They’re concerned about winning. And that’s fine, but let’s not be hypocritical about it.

HEALTHIER PLAYERS = MORE WINNING!

Not either/or. If coaches don't embrace every opportunity to support healthier players, do they really want to win? It takes time, effort, resources and culture shift. Only the coaches who invest (wisely, of course) in supporting mental health stand to see the return on that investment (winning).

Not calling you out at all, Relax. Just pointing out the disconnect.

I think you missed the point. She is 10000000% accurate. If they cared for mental health, they wouldn’t heck with the 15 they call, don’t take, but string along. All they care about is who they commit.

Agreed. If a coach treats kids like that it should be a red flag regarding the culture of the program being represented--as with many of the other previous examples above. I snipped part of your quote slightly out of context to (awkwardly) make a broader point--but I think the same point, kinda?

[Dasher]

Colgate coach stepped down. About time!

[kidsgame]

Colgate coach stepped down. About time!

Colgate administration did a horrible job. They should have fired her in March of 2022 but Nikki Moore was too busy keeping the truth from coming out so she could get her cush job over at Cornell. Many young women were abused by KT and the University is IMO responsible for allowing it!

[Brownlax]

Just saw this news break from lacrosseextras.com about Delaware State.

https://laxextras.com/2024/06/06/enough-is-enough/

[Relax77]

Just saw this news break from lacrosseextras.com about Delaware State.

https://laxextras.com/2024/06/06/enough-is-enough/

Saw this. I have no problem with the rolling, planks, burpees. We have gotten really soft where what is allowed if players aren’t given their best effort. Why are boys allowed to do “herbies” but the girls can’t. Football players are punished at practice physically all the time.
For the other stuff. Not good. But who knows if this is the real story or disgruntled parents. Every team will have parents who complain about the coaches and the other girls on the team. I guess we shall see.

[Brownlax]

Just saw this news break from lacrosseextras.com about Delaware State.

https://laxextras.com/2024/06/06/enough-is-enough/

Saw this. I have no problem with the rolling, planks, burpees. We have gotten really soft where what is allowed if players aren’t given their best effort. Why are boys allowed to do “herbies” but the girls can’t. Football players are punished at practice physically all the time.
For the other stuff. Not good. But who knows if this is the real story or disgruntled parents. Every team will have parents who complain about the coaches and the other girls on the team. I guess we shall see.

Two things:
1. The coaches brought in an “outside person” with no ties to the program to dole out the punishment.
2. How is physically punishing players ok?

[intheknow247]

Just saw this news break from lacrosseextras.com about Delaware State.

https://laxextras.com/2024/06/06/enough-is-enough/

Saw this. I have no problem with the rolling, planks, burpees. We have gotten really soft where what is allowed if players aren’t given their best effort. Why are boys allowed to do “herbies” but the girls can’t. Football players are punished at practice physically all the time.
For the other stuff. Not good. But who knows if this is the real story or disgruntled parents. Every team will have parents who complain about the coaches and the other girls on the team. I guess we shall see.

Two things:
1. The coaches brought in an “outside person” with no ties to the program to dole out the punishment.
2. How is physically punishing players ok?

Number 2 - ever heard of "get on the line"?

[Relax77]

Just saw this news break from lacrosseextras.com about Delaware State.

https://laxextras.com/2024/06/06/enough-is-enough/

Saw this. I have no problem with the rolling, planks, burpees. We have gotten really soft where what is allowed if players aren’t given their best effort. Why are boys allowed to do “herbies” but the girls can’t. Football players are punished at practice physically all the time.
For the other stuff. Not good. But who knows if this is the real story or disgruntled parents. Every team will have parents who complain about the coaches and the other girls on the team. I guess we shall see.

Two things:
1. The coaches brought in an “outside person” with no ties to the program to dole out the punishment.
2. How is physically punishing players ok?

I’m not talking about beating them. I played hockey. Herb Brooks wasn’t the only coach who made his players do suicides when they gave bad efforts. I would come off from practice and sometimes it was hard to walk. Nothing wrong with that. Go watch a football practice. The amount of stair run insubordinate kids have to do. Or up downs or crabs. What. Because it’s women we can’t have them do burpees. Please. Now the religion thing. If that happened there is no place for that. But when it comes to punishing them for the lack of effort? Come on. If my daughter is late for practice and her coach makes her do 100 burpees. She should’ve shown up on time. Smh.

[Relax77]

And in no way am I condoning what mind games some of these coaches do with these kids today. It’s not the 80s, I get that. But as we have said plenty of time, the whole mental health thing is a farce with coaches. Look how they handle dealing with 16- 17 year old recruits.

[LaxEveryDay]

A lot of coaches preach that they’re advocates for mental health yet they have created an environment where the players are afraid to speak up. I know that this happens a lot at Cuse unfortunately. The very people that the players entrust to listen to their concerns and issues don’t listen. When the players report things through the anonymous line, compliance should be taking into account the violations that are happening but they don’t. At least with women’s lax. Compliance doesn’t do their job of making sure that coaches don’t violate NCAA bylaws and they don’t reprimand those that do, especially when it’s brought to their attention numerous times by the players.

When does it get to a point when it needs to be stopped? Who at this point can intervene to make it better for not just womens lax but for all teams and players whose reporting goes unnoticed or cared about? The players sure feel hopeless that no one will do anything to help them even when their mental health and physical health are taking an enormous toll because of the lack of intervention.

In my opinion, if a coach has their girls play through injuries and is dismissive about concerns that they bring up about their bodies hurting, that is not a supportive coach that listens. If a coach has their team go over hours multiple times and has “optional” lift times during recovery days, that is not a good coach. If a coach doesn’t give their itinerary for final four to their team until a couple hours before they leave for the airport, that’s not a prepared coach. Same goes with not having a practice/lift schedule for them practically all weeks of the year. A good coach doesn’t say “by the way you guys have lift now” right after you finish a practice that goes over the allotted time slot.

I believe there’s violations of NCAA bylaws happening at multiple universities and in multiple sports that go unreported. And even worse, not dealt with when reported. I’d like to hear stories of such from other willing people.

[LaxPundit07]

A lot of coaches preach that they’re advocates for mental health yet they have created an environment where the players are afraid to speak up. I know that this happens a lot at Cuse unfortunately. The very people that the players entrust to listen to their concerns and issues don’t listen. When the players report things through the anonymous line, compliance should be taking into account the violations that are happening but they don’t. At least with women’s lax. Compliance doesn’t do their job of making sure that coaches don’t violate NCAA bylaws and they don’t reprimand those that do, especially when it’s brought to their attention numerous times by the players.

When does it get to a point when it needs to be stopped? Who at this point can intervene to make it better for not just womens lax but for all teams and players whose reporting goes unnoticed or cared about? The players sure feel hopeless that no one will do anything to help them even when their mental health and physical health are taking an enormous toll because of the lack of intervention.

In my opinion, if a coach has their girls play through injuries and is dismissive about concerns that they bring up about their bodies hurting, that is not a supportive coach that listens. If a coach has their team go over hours multiple times and has “optional” lift times during recovery days, that is not a good coach. If a coach doesn’t give their itinerary for final four to their team until a couple hours before they leave for the airport, that’s not a prepared coach. Same goes with not having a practice/lift schedule for them practically all weeks of the year. A good coach doesn’t say “by the way you guys have lift now” right after you finish a practice that goes over the allotted time slot.

I believe there’s violations of NCAA bylaws happening at multiple universities and in multiple sports that go unreported. And even worse, not dealt with when reported. I’d like to hear stories of such from other willing people.

You’ve posted 6 times total since starting an account. And all 6 of the posts have been negative/criticisms/attacks on Kayla Treanor. Maybe you should use all that energy to contact someone at the university about your displeasure. And if you don’t receive a response….perhaps it’s just time to look in the mirror.

[UO22]

A lot of coaches preach that they’re advocates for mental health yet they have created an environment where the players are afraid to speak up. I know that this happens a lot at Cuse unfortunately. The very people that the players entrust to listen to their concerns and issues don’t listen. When the players report things through the anonymous line, compliance should be taking into account the violations that are happening but they don’t. At least with women’s lax. Compliance doesn’t do their job of making sure that coaches don’t violate NCAA bylaws and they don’t reprimand those that do, especially when it’s brought to their attention numerous times by the players.

When does it get to a point when it needs to be stopped? Who at this point can intervene to make it better for not just womens lax but for all teams and players whose reporting goes unnoticed or cared about? The players sure feel hopeless that no one will do anything to help them even when their mental health and physical health are taking an enormous toll because of the lack of intervention.

In my opinion, if a coach has their girls play through injuries and is dismissive about concerns that they bring up about their bodies hurting, that is not a supportive coach that listens. If a coach has their team go over hours multiple times and has “optional” lift times during recovery days, that is not a good coach. If a coach doesn’t give their itinerary for final four to their team until a couple hours before they leave for the airport, that’s not a prepared coach. Same goes with not having a practice/lift schedule for them practically all weeks of the year. A good coach doesn’t say “by the way you guys have lift now” right after you finish a practice that goes over the allotted time slot.

I believe there’s violations of NCAA bylaws happening at multiple universities and in multiple sports that go unreported. And even worse, not dealt with when reported. I’d like to hear stories of such from other willing people.

You’ve posted 6 times total since starting an account. And all 6 of the posts have been negative/criticisms/attacks on Kayla Treanor. Maybe you should use all that energy to contact someone at the university about your displeasure. And if you don’t receive a response….perhaps it’s just time to look in the mirror.

I agree. @LaxEveryDay your grievance does nothing here. Take it up with the Syracuse administration. I am sure the AD's email address is readily available. Emailing them would be more productive than posting here.

[Dasher]

Are you kidding me IWClA? An instagram tribute to one of the all time greats Kathy Taylor from Colgate. How was she great at Colgate? Her record? The lawsuits? The eleven players that quit in one year and got to keep their scholarships due to the hostile environment she created might disagree. Hypocrites.

[cdb]

I do not have any inside knowledge of the way these women are coached -- but I did note that there were 3 or 4 teams that I recognized as being in better shape than someone the other top teams -- and this showed in ver close games -- particularly at the end of those games -- one of those teams I will openly state was Boston College who seemed to win many close games against teams I thought had better talent in the third and fourth quarters.

Now, I have no idea how any coaches and agree that coaches need to discipline in order to develop players, but I that discipline should always be used to change the athlete for the better not just to mete out some form of personal justice. I also note that I always loved the tougher coaches, but that was more due to my personality and what drove me -- I had fellow athletes that hated it. Coaches are primarily teachers and my wife is a former teacher who seemed to have a separate teaching plan for each student -- so, I can see where players should spend quality time with the team before committing and ask the rough question to ensure they will receive what they need to be the best they can be.

But all of these athletes are so impressive that I would have to say most of these coaches are doing a great job. Not only can they play -- they are leaders -- they are compassionate and care about each other and they all seem to give everything they have -- most impressive is that they play hard even when they know they cannot win that game.

MY unknowledgeable $.02