Cornell softball coaching change

dbilmes · April 24, 2025, 09:10:16 PM

Interesting timing as there is a "change in leadership" with the Cornell softball team with six games remaining in the season. You have to wonder why this coaching change couldn't have waited about 10 more days until the season was over.

scoop85 · April 24, 2025, 09:47:54 PM

Quote from: dbilmesInteresting timing as there is a "change in leadership" with the Cornell softball team with six games remaining in the season. You have to wonder why this coaching change couldn't have waited about 10 more days until the season was over.

Something clearly is amiss.

Weder · April 24, 2025, 10:34:18 PM

A few years back there were several player complaints about the coach, so I hope it isn't anything along those lines this time around.
https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2019/05/softball-players-detail-years-of-mistreatment-by-coach-neglect-by-cornell-athletics

A number of former players also supported the coach at the time.
https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2019/05/letter-to-the-editor-re-softball-players-detail-years-of-mistreatment-by-coach-neglect-by-cornell-athletics

billhoward · April 25, 2025, 08:50:44 AM

Long time at Cornell (assistant coach in 2002, HC in 2015). Winning record of .253 (107-219-1), .319 Ivy (51-109). This is a sudden departure, obviously. I was about to say that Ithaca is not an easy place to play softball or baseball. But, compare to Dartmouth, the closest Ivy to the Artic Circle. I tallied up the Green's last 5 seasons; their Ivy record is .587.

BTW, Cornell has scrubbed the Julie Farlow landing page (screengrab below).

There is a lot on AD Nikki Moore's plate; this is her third year. One of the metrics for success will be: Does women's sports reach parity with men's sports. (Measure it by, say, Ivy record, overall record, Ivy title, national playoff success, also no embarrassments off-field). Ice hockey yes, lacrosse no, soccer no, basketball no. Wrestling, not comparable.

Weder · April 25, 2025, 10:09:41 AM

Quote from: billhowardLong time at Cornell (assistant coach in 2002, HC in 2015). Winning record of .253 (107-219-1), .319 Ivy (51-109). This is a sudden departure, obviously. I was about to say that Ithaca is not an easy place to play softball or baseball. But, compare to Dartmouth, the closest Ivy to the Artic Circle. I tallied up the Green's last 5 seasons; their Ivy record is .587.

BTW, Cornell has scrubbed the Julie Farlow landing page (screengrab below).

There is a lot on AD Nikki Moore's plate; this is her third year. One of the metrics for success will be: Does women's sports reach parity with men's sports. (Measure it by, say, Ivy record, overall record, Ivy title, national playoff success, also no embarrassments off-field). Ice hockey yes, lacrosse no, soccer no, basketball no. Wrestling, not comparable.

Softball did quite well under Dick Blood (623-347-2, 208-113) with multiple Ivy titles, and women's lacrosse has had multiple strong periods under Jenny Graap, including a Final Four appearance, so it can be done.

billhoward · April 25, 2025, 10:49:28 AM

Quote from: WederSoftball did quite well under Dick Blood (623-347-2, 208-113) with multiple Ivy titles, and women's lacrosse has had multiple strong periods under Jenny Graap, including a Final Four appearance, so it can be done.

And Jenny Graap last month was signed to a "multi-year" contract extension. When she took Cornell WLax to the final four in 2002, that was the first ever for a Cornell women's team. Princeton is currently 4th in RPI, Yale 10th. So, good luck. Princeton has won 4 NCAA titles, Harvard 1.

CU77 · April 25, 2025, 05:30:53 PM

Quote from: WederA few years back there were several player complaints about the coach, so I hope it isn't anything along those lines this time around.
https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2019/05/softball-players-detail-years-of-mistreatment-by-coach-neglect-by-cornell-athletics

That is a pretty damning article, with mulitple on-the-record complaints of the coach not following injury protocols. That these were dismissed by the AD is a bad look.

Iceberg · April 25, 2025, 07:28:30 PM

Bad look may be an understatement. I'm no lawyer but I'd say negligent. What a joke from someone who was supposed to be AD

imafrshmn · April 26, 2025, 12:58:42 PM

Similar story with former Harvard Women's Hockey coach Katey Stone, and how she was protected by insular leadership for years. Social norms around coaching, safety, and abuse have been changing for the better, and these "old school" coaches get stuck fostering toxic cultures.

billhoward · April 26, 2025, 10:59:41 PM

Quote from: CU77
Quote from: WederA few years back there were several player complaints about the coach, so I hope it isn't anything along those lines this time around.
https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2019/05/softball-players-detail-years-of-mistreatment-by-coach-neglect-by-cornell-athletics
That is a pretty damning article, with mulitple on-the-record complaints of the coach not following injury protocols. That these were dismissed by the AD is a bad look.

In some sports, some teams, it's the player who tries to conceal an injury to keep playing. Or this:

Quote from: Chron sportsTrevor Wikre was willing to forgo a finger for football. The Mesa State (Colo.) College senior offensive lineman fractured his right pinkie so severely in practice [in late September 2008], doctors told him he needed immediate surgery. His season and career would be finished.

Instead, Wikre told them to amputate the finger. He's now missing a good portion of his pinkie. ... Instead, Wikre told them to amputate the finger. He's now missing a good portion of his pinkie. Wikre will miss the Mavericks' game Saturday at Colorado School of Mines, but will be back the following week — albeit with his finger covered in a cast.

https://www.chron.com/sports/college-football/article/football-lineman-has-finger-cut-off-to-keep-1551382.php