After what could have turned into a very ugly situation for the Illinois women’s basketball program, the current head coach Matt Bollant and former assistant coach Mike Divilbiss have both been cleared of all racism claims. The claims came from seven former players who filed a lawsuit against the two coaches in early July.
The University of Illinois launched a private investigation into the matter. Over 18,000 documents were reviewed, thirty-three people were interviewed, and statements from eight players.
The investigation also looked into game and practice footage for a more extensive look into the coaches during both of their times with the program.
The report, which you can read in its entirety here, said that neither Bollant nor Divilbiss did anything immoral. However, the report did recommend taking the action needed in “clarifying expectations regarding coaches’ conduct, better defining the coach-parent relationship and enhancing resources for student-athletes to report concerns or complaints about their experience”.
Of course, with every action there comes an equal and opposite reaction. Terry Ekl, an attorney who represents seven former players that filed a lawsuit against the university, was not happy with the school’s investigation.
“My initial reaction is that I am not surprised that investigators, selected by the university and paid by the university would issue a report favorable to their client. This is precisely why we did not wait until the conclusion of the university funded investigation to be completed before we filed suit.”
In the lawsuit, the former players accused Bollant and Divilbiss of both verbal and emotional abuse as well as racial discrimination, including segregating practices and travel accommodations, more severe punishments for the African-American players and referring to players of color as “crabs”, “West Side ghetto” and “unintelligent”.
Divilbiss, who resigned from the University in May, was accused of treating players “more harshly than other coaches”, but the school’s investigation claimed that his actions had nothing to do with the players’ race. The report also noted that both Bollant and Divilbiss acknowledged their negative coaching tactics, but claim that their actions were not along the lines of racism.
Stay with Campus Sports for the latest information on this lawsuit. We will provide information as it becomes available.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to The News-Gazette
