Connect with us

Houston

Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke accused by former players of abusive behavior

Published

2 years ago

on

Cooper-Dyke is being accused by former players of abusive behavior, using demeaning sexual language

By Cassandra Negley

Women’s basketball icon and former Texas Southern coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke used abusive and sexual language, endangered players’ physical and mental health with excessive punishments, and avoided a Title IX hearing on complaints by retiring ahead of it, The Athletic reported Thursday. It reportedly followed a pattern of Cooper-Dyke leaving programs for other jobs after allegations were made to school administrators.

The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings and Dana O’Neil detail more than a decade of alleged abuse during Cooper-Dyke’s time coaching at Prairie View A&M, UNC-Wilmington, Texas Southern, USC, and again at Texas Southern where she retired in March. The announcement was made March 17, the day before the NCAA women’s basketball tournament was set to tip the first round of action. Texas Southern praised her work and wished her success in the future.

It did not mention that the four-time WNBA champion and Naismith Hall of Famer was scheduled to attend a Title IX hearing on April 6 to investigate allegations of abusive behavior, per The Athletic. That hearing was cancelled because, per Texas Southern policy, a complaint can be dismissed if “the Respondent is no longer enrolled or employed by the University.’’

The university was set to introduce new basketball coach Vernette Skeete, who most recently worked as an assistant for Gary Blair at Texas A&M, on Thursday morning. Texas Southern announced late Tuesday night it was postponed. It did not give a reason.

The Title IX hearing was the culmination of months of alleged behind-the-scenes actions by Texas Southern personnel to protect the women’s basketball team. On Jan. 20, the school reportedly issued a limited-contact order stipulating players could not have one-on-one meetings or communicate in any way with the coach as the school went through a “safety-risk assessment.” On Feb. 16, it was reportedly extended to include assistants and prohibited any contact outside of strictly scheduled practices and games.

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke allegedly used inappropriate sexual language while coaching at UNC-Wilmington, USC and Texas Southern. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Allegations of abuse against Cooper-Dyke

Cooper-Dyke reportedly used vulgar and sexual remarks consistently when talking to players, per The Athletic. Many players found it inappropriate, demeaning and degrading.

Some alleged incidents included in The Athletic report:

  • Cooper-Dyke was told one of her Texas Southern players who had a previously known mental health diagnosis was depressed and said, “No, she will be all right, she just needs some d***, that’s all.” She called the same player a “sorry-ass virgin.”
  • In a different instance during 21-22, she told a staffer who made a suggestion, “Get the f*** out of my gym, go home. You’re a sorry-ass bitch. You’re a nobody.”
  • While a player was doing squats, Cooper-Dyke came up behind her and said, “Ooh, your hips are big, you got a fat ass and I can tell you like to ride some d***.”
  • At UNC-Wilmington in 2010-11, she would say “wet, wet” after a shot was made and then motion to a player adding, “I bet that’s what [name redacted] was last night.”
  • At Texas Southern in 2012-13, a male assistant complained of having no social life because of early practices. Cooper-Dyke “proceeds to get in front of him on her knees and pretty much act like she’s giving him oral sex,” a player said.
  • When one player was slow running a drill, Cooper-Dyke told the team it was because she was “getting d***ed down” all the time.
  • At most schools where she coached she called at least one play “hot sex” and often called players “retarded,” “Black-ass child,” “bitch,” “p****” and “dumbass.” She also pressured players to practice despite not being cleared by doctors after injury.

A player at USC, where Cooper-Dyke won two national titles as a player, told The Athletic the coach “mentally and emotionally terrorized us.” Players said she ruined basketball for them and they bonded together to “protect each other’s sanity.”

One player with the USC program told The Athletic:

“I was a mess and not a day went by that I didn’t think about taking my life and even had an idea to do it at Cynthia’s house so she could understand what a devastating impact she had on me.’’

Cooper-Dyke, who turned 59 a week after the scheduled Title IX hearing, was able go from school to school without any allegations coming to light, per the report. Each announcement included words like “tremendous impact” and “real good shape to continue our goals” while wishing the coach the best. Even while school officials reportedly knew of serious issues.

Former Texas Southern coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke accused by players of abusive behavior

Cooper’s ‘GOAT’ status impacted complaints

Many of the players The Athletic spoke to cited Cooper-Dyke’s standing in the sport as the reason they didn’t come forward or tell anyone about their experiences. A former USC player said she wrote a letter about all of the transgressions she saw and experienced, but never planned to do anything with the letter.

“How could I?” she said, via The Athletic. “She’s Cynthia Cooper. She’s goated — the GOAT. And I’m me.”

Cooper-Dyke (then using her birth name, Cynthia Cooper) won two national titles at USC and was a four-time Finals MVP (1997-2000) for the iconic and dynastic Houston Comets franchise. She also has an Olympic medal in the trophy case and was named to last year’s “The W25” list for the WNBA’s 25 greatest players in history. She is one of 10 women’s players to have a signature shoe and players she coached grew up hearing of her as a legend.

From ‘hero’ to ‘manipulator’

Julia Finlay, then a rising junior at UNC-Wilmington in 2010 who watched the WNBA star growing up, said she gasped when the Hall of Famer entered the room for a coaching interview Finlay was asked to participate in. Per The Athletic, she and a teammate “practically begged” to hire Cooper-Dyke.

Finlay’s views changed amid alleged emotional and verbal abuse that included the coaching staff designing a punishment drill in which she did log rolls the length of the court over and over for 20 minutes, per the report. She repeatedly puked and experienced skin scraping off her knees and shoulders. A reporter for the Wilmington Star-News happened to be in the gym and reported on it. It was largely swept under the rug and Cooper-Dyke reportedly had teammates choose her or Finlay, citing the player as the problem.

Finlay quit before the season started and told The Athletic she was “extremely suicidal at that point. All I wanted was to play basketball and to have her like me. She’s my hero.’’ She said Cooper-Dyke manipulated her into losing confidence.

“There’s a quote I think of when I think of her,” Finlay told The Athletic. “‘If you don’t transform trauma, you will transmit it.'”

Harassment in coaching

The Athletic pulled information from Cooper-Dyke’s book, “She Got Game: My Personal Odyssey,” to detail her childhood struggles and views on life and basketball. Jennings and O’Neil include a run-in Cooper-Dyke wrote of in her book while playing in Italy. A coach didn’t like the player’s constant need for information and would shout “shut up” increasingly louder at her, it said.

Via The Athletic:

She confronted him, thinking he didn’t understand the negative tone of the wording. Instead, he used it again and when she sassed back at him, he sometimes threw her out of practice.

At USC, players recalled that Cooper-Dyke similarly sometimes responded to questions from players or her assistant coaches with “shut the f*** up.” In the middle of some games, she sometimes shouted them down with lines such as: “Do you think you’re smarter than me?”

The allegations against Cooper-Dyke might be the highest profile because of her name and status, but they are far from the first to come up.

The list includes allegations of toxic mistreatment by women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer at Florida that were made public last October. Newbauer resigned due to “personal reasons” months prior in July. Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman issued his resignation last August less than a week after meeting with investigators looking into allegations of harassment and abuse. Twelve Orange players had entered the transfer portal, triggering questions about the program.

The NWSL is still reckoning with alleged abuse by coaches within its ranks. The abuse had reportedly been going on for years and even decades spanning different leagues and levels in some cases. They were able to move to different players, including upward mobility, even as people in power knew of the allegations.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Houston

Houston’s Mayor Admits His City Is Broke, Even Firefighters Aren’t Being Paid

Published

1 week ago

on

April 16, 2024

By

The Democratic mayor of Houston recently admitted that his city is suffering from a large deficit because of overspending done by previous administrations. To address the $160 million shortfall, the mayor has proposed 5% spending cuts to all non-essential city services while maintaining funding for police and fire departments.

During a recent City Council meeting, Mayor John Whitmire openly acknowledged the severe financial situation, stating, “I think we can all agree on that, we are broke.”

This admission highlights the severity of Houston’s budget deficit, showing the urgent need to take decisive action and address the city’s financial struggles.

The city of Houston is struggling with the serious budget deficit, the new Democratic Mayor underscores the seriousness of this concern. The reality of the seriousness of Houston’s financial challenges has ignited discussions regarding potential solutions and the broader implications for the city’s fiscal health. Mayor Sylvester Turner, the previous mayor, had established that he was leaving the city with a $420 million budget surplus.

Despite this, subsequent assessments have shown that Houston is faced with a $160 million deficit due to sustained overspending. Chris Hollins, the city’s Comptroller, gave insight on the ongoing financial challenges,

Saying that Houston is spending between $150 million to $200 million more annually than  it is generating in revenue. Mayor John Whitmire said, “It was broken when I got here.” He has also alluded that there may be a possible tax increase and fees to help make up the budget gap. Whitmire recently promised to give “$650 million for seven years of back pay,” to Houston firefighters.

He said, “I don’t like a 5 percent cut now, but you have to make tough decisions and the folks put me in this position to make tough decisions, and I’m going to do my job.”

Whitmire said, “I’m not going to play games with people’s lives,”  “I’m not going to play politics with people’s lives. So we have a responsibility to settle with the firefighters and protect Houstonians.”

Councilman Willie Davis said, “This is going to come down to a financial sacrifice by the city. Now we can either be $1.2 billion broke, or we can be $650 million broke.”

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Education

11 Communication Students Awarded Scholarships at TSU’s Commweek

Published

1 week ago

on

April 16, 2024

By

Each student received $1,000 through the SOC scholarship initiative.

Scholarships alleviate financial stress and contribute to academic success, diversity, and equitable access to education. They are a valuable resource for college students, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed due to financial barriers. The 2024 Commweek – the 42nd Intercultural and Communication Conference of the School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University ended Friday, April 12 with a cheerful outcome. 11 communication students walked away with a fat check as beneficiaries of the SOC Commweek Scholarship initiative.

The recipients of the 2024 Commweek scholarships are Christopher Jarmon, Rachel Frank, Benjamin Clark, Racheal Lewis, Briannah Dilworth, Courtney Roberts, Precious Johnson, Douglas Gordon, Briana Williams, Zoria Goodley, and Erin Slaughter. Each student received $1,000 from the SOC scholarship initiative, aimed at helping students overcome financial obstacles while pursuing their academic goals. The funds can be used to cover tuition, textbooks, other educational expenses, and living costs like housing, transportation, and food.

Dr. Chris Ulasi, the Interim Dean of the School of Communication, explained that the scholarship funds were made possible through grants and donations from corporate and local businesses. These contributions were specifically designated for talented and economically disadvantaged students within the School of Communication. “Many of these students rely on financial aid to support their education. Therefore, we prioritized collaborating with private and corporate partners to support this initiative,” Dr. Ulasi stated.

Themed “Amplifying Diverse Voices in Media and Communication,” Commweek kicked off on April 8 and concluded with an Awards Gala on Friday, April 12, 2024, where scholarships were presented. Throughout the week, scholars, students, professionals, and civic leaders engaged in discussions on topics with cultural, political, economic, and social significance, as well as communication dynamics.

The School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University is a dynamic academic institution that fosters interdisciplinary learning. With four departments and two graduate programs – Communication Studies, Entertainment Recording Industry Management (ERIM), Journalism, and Radio, Television, and Film (RTF), along with a Master of Arts (MA) in Communication and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Communication and Digital Media (PCDM) – SOC has been a leader in training culturally responsive professionals and scholars for nearly five decades. Graduates are equipped to navigate diverse urban and international environments with inclusivity and a deep understanding of historical context.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Education

TSU Announces 2024 Annual Communication Week

Published

1 month ago

on

March 25, 2024

By

TEXAS INTERNATIONAL GUARDIAN, HOUSTON, TX – The representation of diverse racial and ethnic groups, as well as sexual and gender identities in the media, is critically important because it accurately shapes decency, fairness, and unity in the community. When media lacks or portrays insensitive representations, it can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination, further marginalizing these identities.

The School of Communication (SOC) at the Texas Southern University (TSU) has announced its 2024 Commweek, signifying the 42nd Intercultural and Communication Conference. Themed “Amplifying Diverse Voices in Media and Communication”, the conference will be held April 8 – 12, 2024, and will culminate with an Awards Gala on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the University’s Tiger Room.

Ensuring a diversity of voices in the media requires holistic monitoring systems and the wider application of target-based measures for both public and private media. Amplifying diverse perspectives can instigate a richer and more inclusive media landscape that benefits the entire populace. The Intercultural Communication Conference provides a forum for scholars, students, professionals, and civic-minded leaders to explore topics with cultural, political, economic, and social implications as well as communication dynamics. But the theme is necessary and also, it is coming at the right time.

The challenges posed by a lack of diverse voices in media and communication can be seen across social, political, economic, and cultural spheres of influence. These issues can influence the views represented in news coverage and dissemination. Indeed, the diversity of perspectives is key to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

According to Dr. Chris Ulasi, the Interim Dean of the School of Communication, “The 2024 event will be special because we are equally raising scholarship funds for gifted and economically disadvantaged students in the School of Communication.  Traditionally, a majority of our students rely on some form of financial assistance to fund their education. This is why I am using this opportunity to appeal to individuals, corporations, and community organizations to support this cause.”

According to a release made available to our newsroom, proceeds from this event will,

  • Help SOC students break down financial barriers while pursuing their academic prospects.
  • Help SOC students cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other educational expenses.
  • Help SOC students supplement the cost-of-living expenses such as housing, transportation, and food.
  • Create retention possibilities for students who might drop out for financial reasons.
  • Act as incentives and encouragement to students in general.
  • This financial sponsorship will be a catalyst for expanding SOC’s ongoing professional relationship with corporate businesses, community organizations, and individual sponsors.

Dr. Anthony Ogbo, co-chaired by Professor Ladonia Randle, and Ms. Michele Jones, is joined by a team of very engaging and supportive members who meet regularly to finalize the machinery for a successful event.  According to Dr. Ogbo, “The 2024 Commweek is expected to draw a line-up of dignitaries from the business, academic, and government sectors. For instance, the City of Houston’s Vice Mayor Pro-Tem, Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum will lead the conference opening ceremony on Monday, April 8. Also, Dr. Kathleen McElroy, renowned Journalist and Professor at the School of Journalism and Media at The University of Texas at Austin will lead the opening session of the intercultural conference on Thursday, April 10.”

The School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University is a transformational, interdisciplinary academic school with four departments and two graduate programs: Communication Studies; Entertainment Recording Industry Management (ERIM); Journalism; Radio, Television, and Film (RTF); and Master of Arts (MA) in Communication and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Communication and Digital Media (PCDM). For 48 years, the school has been at the forefront of training culturally responsive professionals and scholars who can navigate urban and international settings with a deep sense of inclusivity and an understanding of historical legacy.

Texas Southern University possesses an impressive array of more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations, a diverse faculty, 80-plus student organizations, and an extensive alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage. Nestled upon a sprawling 150-acre campus, Texas Southern University is one of the nation’s largest historically black universities.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Trending