Grambling State on Tuesday fired volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas, a call that got here three months after her controversial transfer to chop the staff’s scholarship gamers.
“The choice was made as a result of willpower of an inner investigation inside the volleyball program,” the college mentioned in a press release. “Any extra feedback can be held till the conclusion of the investigation.”
Dr. Trayvean Scott, Grambling State’s vp for intercollegiate athletics, mentioned within the assertion that student-athletes who acquired scholarships for the upcoming season will preserve them and stay on the staff. Stroll-ons in earlier seasons additionally will preserve their roster spots.
“The success of student-athletes and their capability to matriculate at Grambling State College is the highest precedence,” Scott mentioned.
Added Grambling State president Rick Gallot: “It’s the duty of this establishment to guarantee that student-athletes are afforded alternatives in a way compliant with all regulatory organizations. That applies to athletics as a lot because it does to teachers.”
A nationwide seek for a brand new coach will start this week.
Lucas, a former libero on Grambling’s volleyball staff and the 2006 SWAC Defensive Participant of the 12 months, was employed by the college on Feb. 14, after a three-year stint as head coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. She changed Demetria Keys-Johnson, who stepped down in December.
Lower than two months into her new function, Lucas knowledgeable all 12 returning scholarship gamers she wouldn’t be renewing their scholarships for the autumn 2022 season, leaving many gamers shocked. In a press release launched April 7 by means of Grambling’s athletic division, Lucas mentioned, “I met with my staff, every student-athlete, individually to debate my plans shifting ahead with the Grambling State College volleyball program. My choice was to not convey again a few of The present student-athletes on the staff. Whereas student-athletes are granted athletic scholarships, a scholarship shouldn’t be assured and never binding, per NCAA guidelines and laws.”
Scott initially supplied his help of Lucas’ choice, saying on the time: “Simply because the switch portal empowers student-athletes, our coaches are additionally empowered to make the choices they deem essential to advance their packages.”
A month later, the college introduced an impartial evaluation of involving this system, which in response to Tuesday’s assertion is ongoing.