Sheryl Swoopes Demands Loyola Explain Why They Dropped Her As Coach

By Gwendolyn Purdom in News on Jul 5, 2016 10:48PM

Sheryl Swoopes high fives guests during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2016 Class Announcement on April 4, 2016. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)

Three-time Olympic gold medalist and former WNBA MVP Sheryl Swoopes has spoken out for the first time since it was quietly announced over the weekend that Swoopes would no longer be the women’s basketball coach at Loyola University Chicago.

Loyola's decision, shared Sunday evening, comes three months after the Rogers Park university launched an investigation into Swoopes' coaching style in response to several student players' complaints and transfers. But Swoopes said that student-athletes are still her priority in a statement Tuesday:

"Last week I was looking forward to what lied next, right after the holiday. We'd been planning to greet eight of the 12 committed student-athletes to campus today. I've heard people speak of Transformation Tuesday and now I experience it. I'm disappointed that I won't have the opportunity to be there on this Tuesday as 'Coach Swoopes'.

"It's my hope that the student-athletes will be provided a full explanation of what has unfolded. As students, they deserve truth and transparency. All I can say at this point is that I do feel vindicated. I was one hundred percent pleased with what I thought clearly supported all I've ever tried to provide as a coach, an employee and the woman of character my mother has raised."

Swoopes has been coaching the Ramblers since 2013. Last year, five players transferred. This year, 10 of the 12 players who were eligible to play next season either transferred or asked to cut ties with the basketball program. Former players told the Tribune in April that Swoopes was difficult to play for and "often threatened them with yanking their scholarships," among other mistreatment.

Swoopes denied these allegations in a statement last month. “There is nothing in my behavior, past nor present, as a coach or professional that reflects anything other than structure, encouragement and respect for others,” she said.

Tuesday’s statement from Swoopes implied that there was more to the story of the university’s investigation, saying students “deserve truth and transparency” and that she feels “vindicated” by what’s happened.

Loyola Athletic Director Steve Watson noted “a search for [Swoopes’] replacement will begin immediately” in the three-sentence statement released by the university. Loyola has otherwise been quiet on the issue.

As of Tuesday afternoon, a news item touting Swoopes’ April election to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was still headlining the Loyola women’s basketball landing page. Swoopes is scheduled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in September.