terry mckeeverAs head coach of Cal’s women’s swim team for 29 years, he led the team to four NCAA titles.
“Today, I am writing to inform you that I am parting ways with my longtime women’s swimming coach. terry mckeever» Cal Athletic Director Jim Knowlton “After careful consideration of the extensive research report recently completed by an independent law firm, we believe this is the best policy for our student-athletes, our swim program, and Cal Athletics as a whole.” We strongly believe that it is in the interest of
“The report details numerous violations of the university’s policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, or disability. In the process of reading through page 482 of the report, I was upset by what I learned.On behalf of Cal Athletics, I would like to thank all student-athletes who have been subjected to this behavior in the past. I would like to apologize and thank everyone who had the courage to come forward and share their stories with investigators.”
Knowlton continued, at his request, Dave Durden I will continue as acting director of both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs.
“Looking to the future, we recognize that intercollegiate athletics standards are evolving when it comes to how to develop student-athletes to be the best on and off the field,” Knowlton said. “While we have strong existing policies that broadly cover unacceptable conduct, I believe there remain areas where consensus and clarity are lacking, and where past acceptable practices need to be updated.” To support athletes and coaches, I have led a collaborative effort across the Cal Athletics community to develop updated guidelines that enable coaches to mentor and challenge student-athletes in an environment where young women and men can succeed. increase.
“Going forward, we will begin this process through a series of conversations with coaches, staff and student-athletes. We will provide ample opportunities for our team to provide input and feedback. , to educate the community about the new guidelines.”
allegations about McKeever’s cheating first surfaced last Mayas many current and former members of Cal’s women’s team claimed she abused them verbally and emotionally.
Then McKeever was placed university leaveand the school hired an independent law firm to investigate her.
When the accusations first came to light, 19 current and former women’s team swimmers, six parents, and one former member of the men’s team turned against McKeever.
In December, McKeever’s investigation spanned six months. Knowlton previously said the investigation could take “up to six months.”
McKeever Attorney, Thomas Newkirkwon a six-figure discrimination settlement against at least two other female Division I coaches facing similar charges he alleged.
McKeever, 60, is the Cal women’s head coach dating back to 1993. She led the program to her four NCAA titles, six her Pac-12 championship wins, and served on three U.S. Olympic staff. This included her being named head coach of the women’s team for the 2012 Games, held in London, making her the first and only female head coach of the US Olympic swim team. rice field.
“Today I was informed by AD Knowlton of his decision to terminate my employment as head women’s swimming and diving coach for CAL, a position I have proudly held since August 1992.” McKeever wrote in a statement. “There has never been a day in the last 30 years when I wondered what my job was. I loved my job, especially the challenge of taking on individual sports like swimming and communicating team achievements. I put my heart and soul into this mission of excellence: I am the only woman in the history of swimming to have led women to not one but four national championships, and not one but four U.S. Olympic swimming coaches. We are proud to be the only woman elected to our staff.
“In my 30-year career, there will always be people who challenge my coaching style or who I am personally,” she continued. Also, I know people who have struggled with my coaching, but far more have had their lives changed in a positive way because of the experience. I cherish our bond with them very much and look forward to witnessing their continued success.
“I deny and unequivocally rebut all conclusions that I have abused or bullied an athlete, and deny any suggestion that I have discriminated against an athlete on the basis of race, disability, or sexual orientation. Team Rules violating the rules, not attending scheduled appointments, misusing resources, failing to make honest efforts, or acting inconsistently with individual or team goals had consequences and It should be, but those consequences apply not because of who that person was, but because of what that person did or didn’t do, which the team and we try to maintain. Because it hurt the culture that was working hard.
“I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the way the investigation process was conducted,” McKeever said. Given that knowledge, the lack of administrative support for CALs is heartbreaking. A female coach.
“I am leaving Berkeley knowing that I have made a difference in the lives of hundreds of women. As women, I wanted them to believe that they could do anything they set their minds to, but we have to learn how to lift each other up, and there are many areas. I need to be at least twice as good as a male counterpart.
Newkirk calls the process that led to this decision “one of the most disturbing displays of double standards and enabling gender biases directed at female coaches,” and as an example of that double standard, Cal. of complaints against female soccer coaches. He said McKeever will file a lawsuit against the university.
“The coaching profession is at a crossroads,” said Newkirk. “The complaints about Teri were primarily due to gender differences in how she was judged as a woman, but were also based on sexual evaluations of female athletes. It was also the result of the lack of resources provided to help manage the , the coaches are all in danger.”
“Teri plans to file a lawsuit to expose how gender has not only affected her coaching ratings, but has harmed and continues to harm both female and male athletes. “Female athletes, including those who have filed complaints, have been patronized by this administration. Male athletes who need real help with their mental health are ignored.” Male coaches who are not abusive should be fired Terri is committed to finding answers to this national problem that is destroying coaching as a profession as well as female coaches. ”
Related: What does a California soccer coach have to do with the Terry McIver investigation?
James Sutherland also contributed to this report.
