Detroit Mercy shuts down WBB program; Players accuse head coach of emotional abuse

University of Detroit Mercy Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels, Jr. has issued the following statement in regard to the women’s basketball season.

“The health and well-being of our student-athletes is our athletic department’s top priority. We have talked with all players and members of our women’s basketball program about their concerns. We take them very seriously and will continue to review them closely.” 

“As we have prioritized the needs of our student-athletes during this challenging academic year, we have decided to suspend the 2020-21 women’s basketball season.” 

According to a report in the Detroit Free Press, a letter “signed by 14 players and their parents was sent Sunday to Titans athletic director Robert Vowels Jr. It detailed a number of allegations of player mistreatment and potential NCAA violations by first-year coach AnnMarie Gilbert, whose time at Eastern Michigan in the last decade ended with the school being placed on probation due to infractions.”

The complete letter can be found HERE.

Gilbert has yet to publicly comment on the situation. More on this story as it continues to develop.

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