Past and present members of the Northern Kentucky women’s basketball team are publicly accusing head coach Camryn Whitaker of emotional abuse and the university of ignoring their allegations.
Senior guard Taryn Taugher detailed on the blog site The Odyssey, “the deep, dark, hidden secret that lies within the women’s basketball program, which has been swept under the rug by the athletic department for three years.” Taugher claims she served as “a punching bag” for Whitaker since the coach was hired in 2016.
“These verbal attacks were mostly behind closed doors, in her office, on what she liked to call the ‘crying couch’ where it was your word against hers,” Taugher wrote. “Where she could get you alone and tear you apart. These meetings were mostly done weekly and before games, so you were so messed up from your beat-up-session that you couldn’t possibly play well by game time.”
Three fellow players mentioned in Taugher’s post confirmed her story via social media, according to the Democrat & Chronicle. That includes sophomore Reece Munger, who announced she will be transferring from the school.
Taugher wrote that Munger was punished for once having her parents attend a meeting with Whitaker.
Taryn Taugher wrote the blog post.Icon Sportswire via Getty Images“This infuriated Coach Whitaker, and since this happened on gameday, she forbid Reece from coming to shoot around before the game, the game itself, and in the locker room and proceeded to tell the other players that Reece was a ‘f–king bad friend and teammate,’” Taugher wrote.
Another former player, Kasey Utrecht, tweeted that she met with the school’s athletic director about Whitaker as far back as the 2016-17 season.
Taugher also wrote that Northern Kentucky’s athletic department has attempted to “silence the multiple emotional abuse allegations,” but the university released a statement Monday that it is investigating the claims.
“The university is aware of complaints surrounding the women’s basketball program,” the statement said. “We recognize the courage it takes to share personal stories.
“We are committed to fostering a safe, healthy and inclusive learning environment for anyone who is a part of our campus community. Our students’ voices will be heard and the Athletics office will continue to monitor and assess our programs, taking appropriate corrective actions as needed.”
