MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho President Scott Green outlined the resources being provided to players on the women's volleyball team following allegations of abuse against head coach Chris Gonzalez.
This news comes after over a dozen University of Idaho volleyball players encouraged the school to take action against the head coach, accusing him of physical and mental abuse. Players previously told KREM 2 that Gonzalez physically pushed a girl to the ground during practice when he jumped into the drill. Players also said Gonzalez called the girls "linebackers," implying that they need to lose weight.
In an email to employees and students, Green laid out the steps the university is taking into investigating the allegations, stating that the school is treating the situation "with the utmost seriousness."
According to Green, the school has taken the following steps in addressing the allegations:
- A case manager from the Office of the Dean of Students has been assigned to support the volleyball team, and they will attend and monitor all team practices, meetings and team activities where the coaches are present, or when requested by an athlete. This person will also be available for any individual meetings between students and coaches, so they do not have to attend alone or without support. The team has already held two practices where the case manager was present.
- Mental health support is available to all student-athletes. A psychologist from the Counseling and Mental Health Center is assigned to work with student-athletes, who can access the full support of resources provided by the center. This is a confidential resource that includes an after-hours option for emergency support.
- If a student-athlete needs to attend an investigative meeting or counseling session but is worried about missing class as a result, the case manager will send a “student absence notification” to the faculty member on their behalf.
- Student-athletes were provided contact information for the university ombuds who can provide further support. The ombuds provides confidential, impartial and informal assistance to individuals and groups to help facilitate a fair and respectful resolution to problems and advocate for respectful, fair and equitable treatment for all.
- Additional concerns may be brought by the student-athletes to the assigned case manager and additional support can be offered, including individualized referrals to the appropriate services necessary to care for the student’s welfare.
- Any player can opt out of practices while the investigation is ongoing. There will be no punitive response for their decision not to attend practice. For those students who are on athletic aid, their scholarships are secure throughout the investigation. Of the 12 players currently on the roster, only three opted out of practice.
"Our nation is a country of laws and due process, and we are intent on staying true to that notion of fairness and justice," Green said in the email. "Having said that, it would be improper to comment further on the investigation until its conclusion."
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