That video was tough to watch, although this is, unfortunately, a relatively common problem across the countries across many different sports. Toward the end of the video, there was a letter from Indigo Gibson who was drafted 18th overall (in the 2nd round) of the NWSL Draft but nonetheless quit soccer soon after that draft; now that decision starts to make more sense (I had just assumed that she had a physical injury, rather than a mental scar).
I think Olivia Sekany had graduate-transferred to Washington, although she was not going to play much at Cal with a stud like Angela Anderson who won Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year honor last year as a freshman. Good for Liv to still find the love for soccer.
I don't know if Cal will decide to part with Neil Mcguire since he probably still has the support of Cal soccer boosters and has been good at recruiting (although the results often did not quite match the talent, Cal has never legitly challenge for the Pac-12 title or make many deep runs in the postseason). Cal soccer also may be facing the challenge of losing their home field to the University in the near future (the University has talked about taking over Edwards Stadium and that prime real estate from Cal Athletics for assuming the Memorial Stadium debt), even the women's team due to Title IX is far safer from being cut than the men's team.
Where there is smoke there is fire. There is definitely enough here to conduct a thorough investigation and to make public the findings. Coaching and athletes have changed since my time. Heck I know I continued to play after sustaining a concussion and that happened on multiple occasions during my football & rugby years.
This coach does appear to be an odd duck (bear). Why punish a team that conducts a captain organized practice session??
I love the game of soccer and support this team, so this is disturbing. If these allegations have merit, Cal is best to get rid of him. Ole coaches like him rarely change even if they say they have.
The girls' stories are 100% compelling. Good reporting by KTVU. The University's response shows it is more concerned with PR and mitigating legal liability than they are in taking care of student athletes. McGuire needs to go. His teams have consistently underdelivered in relation to their talent. Recruiting seems to be his greatest asset and I can't imagine that won't take a hit once these allegations spread.
I've been to a handful of Cal women's soccer games, and as a fan I just hope that this gets worked out. It does not necessarily mean a change in coaches is needed. But the department should revisit the complaints and make recommendations if changes are needed (and if those can be made with current coaches). I know that students have changed in the 20 years that I've been teaching, and I've had to adapt to that. And that it's harder to change mindsets when you are in the ultra-competitive D1 sports world. As a guy who played soccer through high school, I had good coaches (some were a-holes), and crappy coaches (some were a-holes) that I suspected I wasn't getting a fair deal from. Evaluation of players and who deserves playing time can be tricky, and often feels unfair and tainted by personal relationships. On a a 20 person roster, you know who your stars and weakest players are, but there's a lot of gray area between those. That is so common. I'm sure it's hard from the coaching side as well.
That video was tough to watch, although this is, unfortunately, a relatively common problem across the countries across many different sports. Toward the end of the video, there was a letter from Indigo Gibson who was drafted 18th overall (in the 2nd round) of the NWSL Draft but nonetheless quit soccer soon after that draft; now that decision starts to make more sense (I had just assumed that she had a physical injury, rather than a mental scar).
I think Olivia Sekany had graduate-transferred to Washington, although she was not going to play much at Cal with a stud like Angela Anderson who won Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year honor last year as a freshman. Good for Liv to still find the love for soccer.
I don't know if Cal will decide to part with Neil Mcguire since he probably still has the support of Cal soccer boosters and has been good at recruiting (although the results often did not quite match the talent, Cal has never legitly challenge for the Pac-12 title or make many deep runs in the postseason). Cal soccer also may be facing the challenge of losing their home field to the University in the near future (the University has talked about taking over Edwards Stadium and that prime real estate from Cal Athletics for assuming the Memorial Stadium debt), even the women's team due to Title IX is far safer from being cut than the men's team.
Where there is smoke there is fire. There is definitely enough here to conduct a thorough investigation and to make public the findings. Coaching and athletes have changed since my time. Heck I know I continued to play after sustaining a concussion and that happened on multiple occasions during my football & rugby years.
This coach does appear to be an odd duck (bear). Why punish a team that conducts a captain organized practice session??
I love the game of soccer and support this team, so this is disturbing. If these allegations have merit, Cal is best to get rid of him. Ole coaches like him rarely change even if they say they have.
The girls' stories are 100% compelling. Good reporting by KTVU. The University's response shows it is more concerned with PR and mitigating legal liability than they are in taking care of student athletes. McGuire needs to go. His teams have consistently underdelivered in relation to their talent. Recruiting seems to be his greatest asset and I can't imagine that won't take a hit once these allegations spread.
I've been to a handful of Cal women's soccer games, and as a fan I just hope that this gets worked out. It does not necessarily mean a change in coaches is needed. But the department should revisit the complaints and make recommendations if changes are needed (and if those can be made with current coaches). I know that students have changed in the 20 years that I've been teaching, and I've had to adapt to that. And that it's harder to change mindsets when you are in the ultra-competitive D1 sports world. As a guy who played soccer through high school, I had good coaches (some were a-holes), and crappy coaches (some were a-holes) that I suspected I wasn't getting a fair deal from. Evaluation of players and who deserves playing time can be tricky, and often feels unfair and tainted by personal relationships. On a a 20 person roster, you know who your stars and weakest players are, but there's a lot of gray area between those. That is so common. I'm sure it's hard from the coaching side as well.