A university in Louisiana fired its head volleyball coach after she cut the entire team.
Grambling State hired Chelsey Lucas as its volleyball coach in February and she would soon release all 19 players from the team. GSU Athletics Communications Director Brian Howard told KSLA in April that the athletic program leaders knew Lucas would be making some changes to the roster, but he did not know to what extent.
According to the players, the coach called individual meetings with each player on April 4 and told them their scholarships would not be renewed.
However, just a few months later, the program made the decision to terminate her contract after an investigation.
“The decision was made due to the determination of an internal investigation within the volleyball program,” the school said in a statement. “Any additional comments will be held until the conclusion of the investigation.”
Here’s more about the situation, via ESPN:
“Less than two months into her new role, Lucas informed all 12 returning scholarship players she would not be renewing their scholarships for the fall 2022 season, leaving many players stunned.
In a statement released April 7 through Grambling’s athletic department, Lucas said, “I met with my team, each student-athlete, individually to discuss my plans moving forward with the Grambling State University volleyball program. My decision was to not bring back some of the current student-athletes on the team. While student-athletes are granted athletic scholarships, a scholarship is not guaranteed and not binding, per NCAA rules and regulations.”
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The university said Lucas’ termination was the result of an internal investigation within the volleyball program.
“The success of student-athletes and their ability to matriculate at Grambling State University is the top priority,” Dr. Trayvean Scott said, president of intercollegiate athletics for GSU. “As we move forward in this transition and commence a national search for the next coach, all volleyball student-athletes who received scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year will keep their scholarships and remain on the team. Walk-ons will also continue to hold their roster spot.”
Chelsey Lucas issued the following statement to the media after news of her dismissal was released via KKTV.com:
“Since I started at Grambling, I have been ordered not to speak to the media. My voice has unfortunately been silenced despite the rumors and accusations about me. As a result, I have not been able to provide my side of the story about the many events that have occurred during my tenure as head volleyball coach at Grambling. I was told today, without notice or any opportunity for discussion, that I was being terminated. When I asked why I was being terminated, the administration was not able to provide me any details about why they decided to fire me.
“This termination came just days after I had requested and then had a meeting with the President to discuss the way I had been treated in recent weeks by the Athletic Director. The AD, without me knowing in advance, was invited to this meeting with the President. The AD was visibly upset at my complaints during my meeting with the President, and today I was informed that he was the one who recommended my termination. I will be working with my attorney to prepare a response, and believe that my side of this story will demonstrate that what happened to me today was not right or just.”
Lucas is a 2007 graduate of Grambling State. She served as head coach at Alcorn State and Arkansas Pine-Bluff prior to returning to her alma mater in February.
