-
Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!
Griz Soccer Coach Fired...
- Thread starter HookedonGriz
- Start date
grizpack said:
You never know. Certain escorts may be very good at ball handling and tend to score a lot.
President Bodnar’s statement:
“The University’s first priority in our athletic programs is the success and support of our student athletes. In this case, when concerns were raised, the university initiated a careful process with qualified professionals to examine the situation thoroughly. In early November, when athletic department leadership became aware of the concerns, the process began. The news of this week, the fact that we are seeking a new leadership direction in the soccer program, is the result of that process. To be clear, the university exercised its right, pursuant to the terms in the 1-year coaching contract, to non-renew this employee. We are committed to our first priority, our students, and will make sure we move forward in a manner that is supportive, transparent, and inclusive to serve the program’s needs.”
Bodner says they conducted an investigation with outside help. They gathered the evidence, confronted him with it & told him to hit the bricks. Just as I said they should do. Letting him claim it was a parting or the ways - blah, blah, blah.
[tweet]https://twitter.com/kyle_sample/status/959431939319984128[/tweet]
Especially when you’ve done everything right.
“The University’s first priority in our athletic programs is the success and support of our student athletes. In this case, when concerns were raised, the university initiated a careful process with qualified professionals to examine the situation thoroughly. In early November, when athletic department leadership became aware of the concerns, the process began. The news of this week, the fact that we are seeking a new leadership direction in the soccer program, is the result of that process. To be clear, the university exercised its right, pursuant to the terms in the 1-year coaching contract, to non-renew this employee. We are committed to our first priority, our students, and will make sure we move forward in a manner that is supportive, transparent, and inclusive to serve the program’s needs.”
Bodner says they conducted an investigation with outside help. They gathered the evidence, confronted him with it & told him to hit the bricks. Just as I said they should do. Letting him claim it was a parting or the ways - blah, blah, blah.
[tweet]https://twitter.com/kyle_sample/status/959431939319984128[/tweet]
Especially when you’ve done everything right.
grizzlyjournal
Well-known member
Here's a late Friday update, a story which will appear in the Feb. 3 Missoulian. This centers around an interview with Mr. Plakorus.
[tweet]https://twitter.com/missoulian/status/959569631307542528[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/missoulian/status/959569631307542528[/tweet]
HelenaHandBasket
Well-known member
http://missoulian.com/news/local/fi...al&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share
Updated: Fired University of Montana soccer coach 'devastated' by escort service report
Former University of Montana women’s soccer coach Mark Plakorus said he was “devastated, disgusted, upset” after the University of Montana said that he'd been fired for using a university-issued cellphone to text escort services during recruiting trips.
“I’m a bit devastated that the athletic director would trash me and involve confidential information and false information throughout that whole story, and violate my rights to confidentiality,” Plakorus said in a phone interview late Thursday night, referring to a Missoulian story about his dismissal. “It's wrong. I was not fired, I did not resign. I was told I was having my contract not renewed.”
Plakorus has a yearly contract. He denied using an escort service and said that he texted women in response to "personal ads."
Two members of the soccer team told the Missoulian that at the end of the fall season, more than a dozen players went to Athletic Director Kent Haslam and Senior Associate Athletic Director Jean Gee with complaints that Plakorus’ behavior made them uncomfortable. The two players requested anonymity.
A former player, who also requested anonymity, contested those allegations, attributing them to players who didn't get as much playing time as they wanted and accusing them of having "a vendetta" against Plakorus.
Plakorus said he was never aware of any actions that made players uncomfortable until the Athletic Department, with help from the Title IX Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, conducted a "climate survey."
But those complaints were not the reason Plakorus was fired, Haslam said. Rather, Plakorus was dismissed after the discovery that Plakorus had used a university-issued cellphone to text escort services while in Las Vegas in June and November 2017, January and March 2016, and February 2015 on recruiting trips. That’s as far back as the Athletic Department looked, Haslam said.
Friday afternoon, the university released a statement from President Seth Bodnar about the process.
“The University’s first priority in our athletic programs is the success and support of our student athletes. In this case, when concerns were raised, the university initiated a careful process with qualified professionals to examine the situation thoroughly," Bodnar said.
"In early November, when athletic department leadership became aware of the concerns, the process began. The news of this week, the fact that we are seeking a new leadership direction in the soccer program, is the result of that process," Bodnar said.
UM spokesperson Paula Short told the Missoula Independent on Friday that while Bodnar signed off on Plakorus' departure, he didn't know it would be described as a resignation.
Bodnar “would have preferred the public communication to be more specific," she told the Independent.
***
In his phone conversation with the Missoulian, Plakorus repeatedly denied using an escort service.
“I did, you know, when I’m on recruiting trips by myself, sometimes I’ll want to go out to dinner and I’ll want some companionship and so I’ll respond to a personal ad,” Plakorus said. “And I did contact people through a personal ad, but I did not ever use an escort service as it was termed, or anything of that manner whatsoever.”
Plakorus said he used Craigslist or Bumble, a social and dating application that, in heterosexual matches, permits only women to start a chat with their male matches.
“It’s a place that I do let loose a little bit, because I don't ever really do a lot here in Missoula,” Plakorus said of Las Vegas. “I keep to myself and try to keep a low profile here. So I’m just like any normal red-blooded American guy, you know. I like to have a little fun every once in a while. And I don't see anything wrong when I’m on a university trip, that when I’m done with my work for the day, that I go and have a little time for myself.”
Plakorus said he went home with some of the women, and that it’s his choice how he spends his personal time on recruiting trips. His mistake, he said, was using the university-issued cell phone to respond to personal ads.
“I fully admit that I used my university phone, sometimes for personal use,” Plakorus said. “Should I have? No, I shouldn't have and I'll admit that. But to me, that's the only crime that I committed, or not even a crime. I violated a university policy of usage of your cellphone.”
Plakorus said the allegations players made against him are false. He said he had never heard about any complaints until Dec. 5, when Haslam and Gee told him they were conducting a climate survey to evaluate the players’ claims.
For the survey, members of the school's Title IX office questioned team members to examine perceptions and experiences regarding sexual harassment and assault.
Plakorus said the university looked into complaints concerning his communication with players in terms of playing time, concerning his “emotional inconsistency,” and his interactions with his staff, specifically that he didn’t listen to them and take their input. “Really a lot of things that a lot of players will kind of say about a lot of coaches when they complain about things when it comes to playing time,” he said.
“And then they brought up this uncomfortable thing,” he said. “They told me that the allegations were: I touched players’ hair, that I texted players excessively into late hours in the night, that I put my arm around a player. They said that I’ve met with players one-on-one without other staff members there.”
Plakorus said he was not asked to respond to these claims in any way.
The former player, who suited up for Montana for four seasons while Plakorus was coach, said that "not once did I ever experience or hear about anything from other girls on the team about anything that made them feel uncomfortable in any situation, or like a hint of anything sexual at all. … It's truly heartbreaking. I don't think the girls that went in understand what they're doing to him. They're literally ruining his career, ruining his life."
She called Plakorus an "amazing" coach, adding that "the big thing is, he cared about us not only as soccer players but as human beings. He wanted to see us grow into adults after we were done with soccer. That's why I keep in contact with him still. He cares about me as a person. I think a lot of girls that I talk to feel the same exact way."
And, she said, "any way you look at it, there's betrayal. It's really upsetting.
Updated: Fired University of Montana soccer coach 'devastated' by escort service report
Former University of Montana women’s soccer coach Mark Plakorus said he was “devastated, disgusted, upset” after the University of Montana said that he'd been fired for using a university-issued cellphone to text escort services during recruiting trips.
“I’m a bit devastated that the athletic director would trash me and involve confidential information and false information throughout that whole story, and violate my rights to confidentiality,” Plakorus said in a phone interview late Thursday night, referring to a Missoulian story about his dismissal. “It's wrong. I was not fired, I did not resign. I was told I was having my contract not renewed.”
Plakorus has a yearly contract. He denied using an escort service and said that he texted women in response to "personal ads."
Two members of the soccer team told the Missoulian that at the end of the fall season, more than a dozen players went to Athletic Director Kent Haslam and Senior Associate Athletic Director Jean Gee with complaints that Plakorus’ behavior made them uncomfortable. The two players requested anonymity.
A former player, who also requested anonymity, contested those allegations, attributing them to players who didn't get as much playing time as they wanted and accusing them of having "a vendetta" against Plakorus.
Plakorus said he was never aware of any actions that made players uncomfortable until the Athletic Department, with help from the Title IX Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, conducted a "climate survey."
But those complaints were not the reason Plakorus was fired, Haslam said. Rather, Plakorus was dismissed after the discovery that Plakorus had used a university-issued cellphone to text escort services while in Las Vegas in June and November 2017, January and March 2016, and February 2015 on recruiting trips. That’s as far back as the Athletic Department looked, Haslam said.
Friday afternoon, the university released a statement from President Seth Bodnar about the process.
“The University’s first priority in our athletic programs is the success and support of our student athletes. In this case, when concerns were raised, the university initiated a careful process with qualified professionals to examine the situation thoroughly," Bodnar said.
"In early November, when athletic department leadership became aware of the concerns, the process began. The news of this week, the fact that we are seeking a new leadership direction in the soccer program, is the result of that process," Bodnar said.
UM spokesperson Paula Short told the Missoula Independent on Friday that while Bodnar signed off on Plakorus' departure, he didn't know it would be described as a resignation.
Bodnar “would have preferred the public communication to be more specific," she told the Independent.
***
In his phone conversation with the Missoulian, Plakorus repeatedly denied using an escort service.
“I did, you know, when I’m on recruiting trips by myself, sometimes I’ll want to go out to dinner and I’ll want some companionship and so I’ll respond to a personal ad,” Plakorus said. “And I did contact people through a personal ad, but I did not ever use an escort service as it was termed, or anything of that manner whatsoever.”
Plakorus said he used Craigslist or Bumble, a social and dating application that, in heterosexual matches, permits only women to start a chat with their male matches.
“It’s a place that I do let loose a little bit, because I don't ever really do a lot here in Missoula,” Plakorus said of Las Vegas. “I keep to myself and try to keep a low profile here. So I’m just like any normal red-blooded American guy, you know. I like to have a little fun every once in a while. And I don't see anything wrong when I’m on a university trip, that when I’m done with my work for the day, that I go and have a little time for myself.”
Plakorus said he went home with some of the women, and that it’s his choice how he spends his personal time on recruiting trips. His mistake, he said, was using the university-issued cell phone to respond to personal ads.
“I fully admit that I used my university phone, sometimes for personal use,” Plakorus said. “Should I have? No, I shouldn't have and I'll admit that. But to me, that's the only crime that I committed, or not even a crime. I violated a university policy of usage of your cellphone.”
Plakorus said the allegations players made against him are false. He said he had never heard about any complaints until Dec. 5, when Haslam and Gee told him they were conducting a climate survey to evaluate the players’ claims.
For the survey, members of the school's Title IX office questioned team members to examine perceptions and experiences regarding sexual harassment and assault.
Plakorus said the university looked into complaints concerning his communication with players in terms of playing time, concerning his “emotional inconsistency,” and his interactions with his staff, specifically that he didn’t listen to them and take their input. “Really a lot of things that a lot of players will kind of say about a lot of coaches when they complain about things when it comes to playing time,” he said.
“And then they brought up this uncomfortable thing,” he said. “They told me that the allegations were: I touched players’ hair, that I texted players excessively into late hours in the night, that I put my arm around a player. They said that I’ve met with players one-on-one without other staff members there.”
Plakorus said he was not asked to respond to these claims in any way.
The former player, who suited up for Montana for four seasons while Plakorus was coach, said that "not once did I ever experience or hear about anything from other girls on the team about anything that made them feel uncomfortable in any situation, or like a hint of anything sexual at all. … It's truly heartbreaking. I don't think the girls that went in understand what they're doing to him. They're literally ruining his career, ruining his life."
She called Plakorus an "amazing" coach, adding that "the big thing is, he cared about us not only as soccer players but as human beings. He wanted to see us grow into adults after we were done with soccer. That's why I keep in contact with him still. He cares about me as a person. I think a lot of girls that I talk to feel the same exact way."
And, she said, "any way you look at it, there's betrayal. It's really upsetting.
signedbewildered said:
True, but I've never seen one play any defense.
**This post in no way suggests or implies that the poster, hereafter referred to as "the poster", has any experience, real or implied, with escorts, hookers, call girls, or cat fans. Said poster is relying upon hearsay from his friends, hereafter referred to as "friends", who have experienced such women. Exclusions may apply for bachelor parties, drunken friend weekends in Vegas, or Tuesday nights.
Michigan State under fire (rightfully so) for its lack of response to Nassar allegations; Montana under fire for not renewing a coach’s contract after receiving claims of his questionable behavior. I’ve got a feeling the quick response from Griz Athletics was influenced by the current climate.
poorgriz said:
#magnifyingglass
Don't get me wrong. Very well be he may needed to go. Not my call, don't know the whole story. I do know that people are already throwing a fit for Haslam saying he was let go because of the contact on "company" phone and not so much for the alleged texting players at inappropriate times. I guess I am curious how things could have been handled differently. One party or another will always have complaints.
poorgriz said:
You shit stains can't have it both ways though. If the U did nothing, you'd be on here having a hissy fit how the UM is just letting one more thing in a metoo charged climate slide. But since the U handled this effectively, putting students first based off credible testimony and phone evidence, you want to say the U is too harsh?
cmtgrizzly
Well-known member
Sorry but if he was on a recruiting trip paid for by the UM and using a UM phone to contact "escorts" that is absolutely wrong and absolutely embarrassing and unacceptable behavior for a representative of the UM and his contract not being renewed is the right action and he is not being "shafted". He wants to pay his own way on a personal trip and solicit escorts with his own phone then that is his choice and I don't think UM would obviously know or even if they did know they wouldn't have any grounds to not renew his contract.
alabamagrizzly
Well-known member
cmtgrizzly said:
So if you compare the three articles. Gee wanted Plakorus out because he supposedly used his school phone to contact escorts. Two girls on the team complained about inappropriate behavior. Plakorus says he never contact escorts but did use his phone for dating sites for “dates” while on recruiting trips. A former player defends him and says most current and former players agree with her and says these two girls were mad over lack of playing time.
Sounds like most of eGriz has convicted him of rape of a minor so I think they’re right on par for the course. My guess is he’s getting the wrong end of the deal from somebody who wanted him out. But I’m inclined to let the accused defend themselves so what do I know.
cmtgrizzly
Well-known member
alabamagrizzly said:
By all means he should defend himself. I hope for his sake there is an explanation. I thought the articles said quite a few players and assistants complained but only two agreed to speak to the Missoulian in anonymity.
Missoulian not about to let this go...and maybe rightly so...in their latest they claim a dozen players approached admin with concerns...not just a couple as reported earlier in this thread.
http://missoulian.com/opinion/editorial/uncovering-truth-at-um/article_34708bdc-38f8-5e0d-b2ec-da9851cfe0f1.html
http://missoulian.com/opinion/editorial/uncovering-truth-at-um/article_34708bdc-38f8-5e0d-b2ec-da9851cfe0f1.html
HookedonGriz said:
Who penned this because it sounds like there are a lot of "facts" that likely aren't"facts" at all? This is exactly what the Missoulian has been salivating in wait for.
Problem is, when a piece like this is printed, people take it for news, and that, has yet to be confirmed.
HookedonGriz said:
It would be helpful to have the actual facts, in order to fully assess. How does the Missoulian know 12 players complained in some manner. What were the actual complaints, how many said which (as there are several types of complaints), and how were they relayed? While Gee is not my favorite, I do believe that she takes complaints like this seriously, or even very seriously, so the athletic dept. not taking this seriously soon enough doesn't ring true to me. And why wouldn't Haslam have cited the survey, if it indicated he should be fired, or not renewed? My guess is that the survey didn't have enough evidence to justify firing him, but, of course, I don't know.
Maybe Haslam et al deserves more criticism that I thought initially, but I'm not yet at the point to say that. I don't trust the Missoulian. I thought the editorial was very poorly written.
If the former coach does bring legal action or gets a settlement, then this will cost the athletic dept. or U funds that it doesn't have. I assume they wouldn't take it out of the soccer budget, but that would be ironic. Some soccer players insist on tar and feathering coach as he departs and go to the press, causing their budget to be cut. With privacy rules and Montana's litigation climate, I don't think it's a good idea to cite specific reasons for termination and non-renewals.
In the press, and on egriz, there has not be any allegation of anything approaching sexual assault or even sexual harassment, in my view. It looks all like inappropriate behavior to me. Stuff he shouldn't have been doing in this day and age, but nothing approaching the crap and scandals at other schools.
If women in college sports, or some of them, want perfect behavior from coaches, this is going to cause male coaches to withdraw from having as many interactions with players including doing some fun things. Note, however, that I don't condone or like any of the behavior cited against the coach. Should not have done any of that. However, I am hearing and seeing the reaction and backlash in the business world now. Some men are backing off from traveling alone with female business associates and having as much (normal) social interactions.There are many articles being written on this.
