Gibbons Steps Aside As Women’s Hoops Coach at Holy Cross

By Walter Bird
Worcester Magazine
October 16, 2013

http://worcestermag.com/2013/10/16/report-ex-player-files-abuse-allegations-holy-cross-coach/17800

Longtime Holy Cross women's basketball coach Bill Gibbons has been placed on paid administrative leave after a former player who quit after two years with the team filed a lawsuit accusing him of being verbally and physically abusive during practices and games. The school announced late Wednesday, Oct. 16 that Gibbons "voluntarily" offered to relinquish his coaching duties while the the claims are reviewed. His assistant coaches will assume control of the Lady Crusaders.

"Holy Cross women’s basketball head coach Bill Gibbons announced to his team this afternoon that he has voluntarily offered to step back from his coaching duties while the College reviews claims in the lawsuit filed by a former student and member of the basketball team," the school stated in a press release. "His assistant coaches will now assume all coaching duties ... Coach Gibbons will be on administrative leave with pay."

The announcement followed a day that saw the media descend upon College Hill after learning Ashley Cooper filed a lawsuit earlier this week in New York. The suit names Gibbons, athletic director Richard Regan Jr. and associate athletic director Ann Zelesky as defendants. There was no word from the college on whether Regan and Zelesky will retain their positions.

According to the lawsuit, in which Cooper is seeking an unspecified amount in damages and attorney's fees, Gibbons shook players and struck them during practices and games. In one instance, he allegedly slapped Cooper on the back hard enough to leave a red hand print. The suit alleges college officials knew of the abuse and did nothing to stop it. It also accuses Gibbons of "yelling, ranting, screaming and hysterics" to the point that opponents would tell the players their coach was "crazy."

In a statement released earlier Wednesday, the school's director of public affairs, Ellen Ryder, says: " The physical, mental and emotional well-being of our students is our highest priority at Holy Cross. We just received the lawsuit and are in the process of reviewing it. Ms. Cooper had brought her concern to the College and we investigated at that time. The lawsuit we received includes a series of new allegations and we will not bring in outside counsel to review them."

College officials have offered no other public comment. Gibbons spent at least part of Wednesday behind closed doors in his office. A reporter who walked into the office asked whether he was available to comment. A young woman wearing a Holy Cross basketball T-shirt gestured to a closed door and said he was in a meeting and was "probably not going to" talk to the media.

Down the hall in the Hart Center, men's basketball coach Milan Brown, who is entering his fourth year as head coach, politely declined comment, other than to say he knew very little of the allegations.

Gibbons has coached the Lady Crusaders for nearly 30 years. He is a Worcester native and graduate of Clark University and has been named Patriot League Coach of the Year a half dozen times.