Lacrosse Coach Relieved of Duties
To many around the program, though, this firing as not as surprising or abrupt as it may seem on the surface. As many other outlets have reported, rumors of abusive behavior have been numerous, beginning in 2013. Louisville stood behind Young at the time, but the rumors didn't stop. After a fairly normal number of transfers recently, the floodgates opened after this past season ended. After two more transfers this past week, Louisville's roster contains only 13 players from last year's 28 player team. Only four departing players were graduating seniors. For those counting at home, that's 11 transfers out of a program in a single season. That is what many would call an abnormal number.
While it is true that Louisville Lacrosse has seen new heights under Kellie Young, it is undeniablethat she has brought issues to the program as well. In a time of heightened awareness about college coach misbehavior of all kinds, both on a national scale and here at UofL, the whispers regarding Young's coaching tactics have become a bit too loud to ignore. Louisville is in a very precarious position. The University leadership is in flux, as is that of the athletic program. A prominent coach has just been released for failure to appropriately monitor his program at the very least. All eyes are on another prominent coach for the circumstances which returned him to Louisville. Universities all over are answering for the inappropriate behavior of coaches and players in all sports. In short, this was a move that needed to be made, and it could be put off no longer.
The lacrosse team still needs our support. While not a midseason firing, the timing of this change will still be awkward for the players. The assistants may or may not stay in their positions. I hope they are able. The Cards, while losing a large portion of last year's team, could still be strong performers this year. They showed out well during the fall session and have been on the brink of a major breakthrough for quite some time. Whether they use this event as a motivator or as a reason to be completely deflated may come down to how the UofL community rallies around them. Change is here for the Louisville lacrosse team, and for many, change is good.
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(Editor note) Case and I traded article days this week so I could report on field Hockey. Little did we know the Lacrosse situation would fall so soon. He asked me if I wanted the article. I encouraged him to do it. Case is a fine writer and there are only a few I would trust with the tough situation.
I had to pass on the article. I've followed the program closely since Young arrived. I've done countless interviews with Kellie, her players and many articles over the years. Maybe I feel a little too close to the program to write about it just yet. We developed what I call a "chat-ability" where the conversations flowed free and easy and she benignly tolerated my goofiness I display with the players in interviews at times. I was fully in Kelly's corner until the end of last season. Then, with the events that occurred and continued to occur...I had to take a step back and go to a neutral corner. I just have to ask..."Why, Kellie...why?" These are student-athletes. They are human beings. These girls have emotions, feelings and vulnerability. Discipline and standards for players to follow are one thing.
But...
Alleged verbal and physical abuse, purported tyranny under the guise of team building, disgruntled players and multiple transfers, upset parents, lawsuits, claims of inadequate medical care and hazing are quite another thing and totally unacceptable in college athletics...as well in life.
Does anyone else needs to go? How much did the administrators, previous sports information directors of the sport, staff and assistants contribute, stifle, hold back on, know or ignore? Or, were they totally unaware also?
I feel for the players. Current and former. Much more than for the exiled coach...if these allegations are true.
Heal, girls. The UofL fan base IS behind you.
And...I've nearly written an article in itself here. These were thoughts on my mind this morning, though, as I read Case's excellent work this morning.
-Paulie
Cardinal Couple Donation Month
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| Today is the final day to get an entry in for this Panera Card drawing. First to identify these guys is entered. (Note, it is not me, Case, Jeff and Jared...) |
(Paulie....We are up to $550 in received donations with more promised and on the way. A great start but not where we need to be. Thank you to those who have sent, will send and are thinking of sending.)
Until next time, Go Cards!
-CH-
Our 8 year old grandson loves lacrosse. He was introduced to it via an elementary school field trip a couple of years ago where he got to meet some players and learn about the game. We will continue to support the players and look forward to seeing them play in the spring.
ReplyDeleteYoung had to go. 18 transfers? I attended UofL until last year and graduated. You guys don't know the full story and it will probably never come out but Young was a Hitler down there. I played high school lacrosse and even considered walking on the squad as a freshman but after talking with a few of the players I met through classes and such, I knew it wasn't for me
ReplyDeleteYes, the players did like to party a bit but a lot of the stuff that went on was orchestrated and designed by Young and the players were forced to comply or face punishment or group ridicule.
i'm not a UofL resident and I'm now taking graduate classes at another college but getting rid of the domineering Young was a much-needed and long-overdue move.
Rainbows and blue skies
Allegations and such being what they are, it portrays Kellie in a different light than I ever saw her. I guess the signs were all there, but I didn't want to accept or believe. It wasn't the Coach image presented to me.
DeleteAh, the drama and double-ententes of college athletics.
Paulie
No coach, regardless of their status and importance should treat players like she did. I've been reading about it this morning from multiple sources on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteThese are student-athletes, not foot soldiers. If the allegations are true, I echo you, Paulie. Why, Kellie, why?
-- The Real Joe Hill --
Yeah. It's probably not ever, with probable legal proceedings in the offing, Joe...but it is time to "tear off the rear view mirror, hope that Faye and maybe Vicki? can hold it together until a new head coach is hired,
DeleteThoughts and "hang in there" to Nick Evans, the new assistant S.I.D. for lacrosse and basketball. Been a rough few days for him on this issue.
Paulie
oops, meant to say "over" not ever. Too dang early.
DeletePaulie
Well written Case. I like your approach toward this Young issue. Paulie -- it's hard to be objective when you have dome as much as you have in reporting on the program. I admire your decision to go to the corner -- you did write a lot from the heart today, though, and it was beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work CARDINAL COUPLE! I am proud to still be loosely associated with you as a occasional writer and daily reader. Donate to CARDINAL COUPLE dear readers if you like what you see here. My check's in the mail, guys. Do well. I won't "do" Pay-Pal because they take a cut. I want you guys to get all the donation.
Your friend,
"Dave-O"
David Watson
Paul, I don't know enough about the lacrosse situation (other than what has been printed in the C-J) to intelligently comment on Coach Young's firing so I won't. I will, however, try to enter your Panera gift card contest. Is that not Creedence Clearwater Revival in the picture?
ReplyDeleteTom Roma
John and Tom Fogarty, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford! CCR! Bingo, Tom! You're entered.
DeleteI should probably disqualify you because you were one of the most avid musicologist I knew in college (just kidding!!!, you're in...)
Go go Up Around the Bend, head down to the Green River, say "Hi" to Susie Q...you're entered and a Fortunate Son!!!
We will draw and notify the winner tomorrow morning in Wednesday's column. 10 names entered, one name will surface.
Paulie
Looks like we've hit the $500 donation challenge level I put up so I'm in for the additional hundred bucks as promised. Good Job Everyone! Please donate what you can.
ReplyDeleteAlso even though they didn't beat UNC it's nice to see a women's club playing for an ACC championship. Great trend.
Burn
Good job donors! My additional $100 on the way! It is often said, especially in the bar business, you pay for the "good stuff" and you pay for "quality".
ReplyDeleteReaders, please contribute. You're getting the "good stuff" and "quality" here at CARDINAL COUPLE, not a bunch of whiners, malcontents and idiots that are on other sites.
-- The Real Joe Hill --
Thanks Burn and Joe! Bless you guys! Keep the ball rolling.
DeletePaulie
There are a whole lot of letters of support for Coach Kellie from 2013 out there somewhere still on the internet and on another website. Many former players.
ReplyDeleteI have to ask what happened between then and now?
I played lax. I wasn't very good. I never got a scholarship anywhere but I did walk on the squad where I went to school and played for three years as a reserve.
What a lot of people don't understand is the team mentality. it was present at my school, too. You are all bonded together, all for one and one for all. Dissenters are tolerated but usually leave because of their differences.
My squad got a girl that originally was ready to go to Louisville but changed her mind. She had visited several times. She told me that one of the players that was there playing when she visited took her aside and told her not to come to Louisville. This player told her of some horrible things, especially to freshmen, that players went through. Team unity at UofL was a disguise portrayed for the public, according to this player. Privately, among a lot of the players, there was skepticism, disillusionment, factions and discord.
The player who ended up here became a key factor for us. She led us, even as an underclassman, in leadership, unity and optimism. Our coach appreciated that.
We never were an NCAA Tournament team, we never had a winning season nor did we ever make the top 25. But, we were a unit that looked out for each other and made some wonderful friendships.
I weep openly for those girls who were denied things like this at UofL. College is meant to be a learning experience, not dodging controversy and drama.
(Name withheld)
Powerful stuff there. Thank you for sharing.
DeletePaulie
CCR, sa day late and a dollar short, I fear.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you were right Charlie but "a day late and $20 short."
DeleteAnother opportunity Thursday awaits!
Paulie