Investigation into Buffalo State women's soccer team complete; coach's future unsettled - Buffalo News

Investigation into Buffalo State women's soccer team complete; coach's future unsettled - Buffalo News

An independent investigation into the conduct of the women's head soccer coach at SUNY Buffalo State found no violations of NCAA rules, but did confirm concerns about leadership style and professionalism, college officials said Tuesday.

Timothy Gordon, vice president for student affairs at Buffalo State, released details of the investigation related to complaints against longtime head coach Nicholas DeMarsh, but said no decision has been made on head coach of the team for next season.

The investigation came in the fall after a dozen members of the soccer team quit at the end of last season and called for the removal of DeMarsh, who was described by them as being "unprofessional, hurtful and ultimately detrimental to one's mental health and self-confidence."

"In general, the independent review did not substantiate complaints regarding the handling of student-athlete injuries, mental health, or physical well-being," Gordon said in a prepared statement. "Nor did investigators conclude that any NCAA violations occurred."

"However," Gordon said, "the report confirmed concerns related to leadership style, professionalism and team culture. The investigators described an atmosphere that is inconsistent with our institution’s values – we must, and will, strive for a better environment, leadership and overall experience for our student-athletes."

The investigation was conducted by the Syracuse-based law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King. Investigators interviewed 33 people, including 25 members of the women's soccer team from 2018 and 2019, Gordon said.

Eleven Buffalo State soccer players quit, call for removal of coach

While DeMarsh remains an employee of the college, where he works as fitness center manager, the men’s soccer head coach Francesco Cardillo has been overseeing day-to-day operations of the women’s program.

The school released an eight-page executive summary of the investigation on Tuesday.

"While I have not yet reached a decision regarding program leadership for next season, I felt it prudent to share the results of the independent review in a timely manner," Gordon said. "I expect to make a decision – in consultation with Jerry Boyes, director of intercollegiate athletics – about women’s soccer coaching responsibilities in the coming weeks."

The complaint from the Buffalo State players cited 16 instances that they believe violated both NCAA principles and the college’s code of conduct. Allegations included singling out and embarrassing a player, holding personal grudges against players who stand up to him and telling a player crying in pain that she needed to “keep it together.”

Former players, though, quickly rallied around the veteran soccer coach and have described him as a tough but fair coach, who taught them lessons they’ll remember for the rest of their lives and kept in contact long after their playing days were over.

2020-02-04 18:28:52Z
https://buffalonews.com/2020/02/04/investigation-into-buffalo-state-womens-soccer-team-complete-coachs-future-unsettled/

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