Read the Lawsuit That Claims Holy Cross Women's Basketball Coach Bill Gibbons Abused Players
By John F. Hill
The suit, brought by former player Ashley Cooper, claims Gibbons bullied players, at times striking them. The coach often violently shook players by the shoulders while admonishing them, the suit says. "Defendant Gibbons repeatedly and violently yanked and pulled plaintiff Cooper by her shirt collar and strongly squeezed the back of her neck causing pain while barking instructions in her face at close range," the suit says. Read a copy of the lawsuit The suit claims that Gibbons hit Cooper during a January 2012 game against Brown University, leaving a red handprint on her back. The suit also claims Gibbons hit another, unnamed player during a game at Lehigh University in 2013. Holy Cross has not turned over video from either game to Cooper's attorney, Elizabeth Eilender, the suit claims. (Read an interview with Eilender.) A lawsuit filed Tuesday in Manhattan Supreme Court claims Holy Cross women's basketball coach Bill Gibbons routinely abused his players verbally, emotionally and physically. The suit names Holy Cross, Gibbons, athletic director Richard Regan Jr., and associate athletic director Ann Zelesky as defendants. It alleges Holy Cross has known about the abuse but done nothing to stop it. In a statement, the College said it previously investigated some of Cooper's claims, but the lawsuit brought forth new allegations it would look into. “The physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of our students is our highest priority at Holy Cross. We just received the lawsuit and are in the process of reviewing it," said Ellen Ryder, director of public affairs. Gibbons did not return a phone message left at his office. The lawsuit says a number of players have complained about the coach's behavior during "exit interviews" conducted with outgoing seniors. Gibbons has not been punished for any of the actions, the suit says. Morale in the program is so bad the team can't hold an annual alumni game, the suit says. "...players are so demoralized by the time they leave Holy Cross that they have no desire to return," the suit states. The players were afraid to complain, as they were afraid of losing their athletic scholarships. Cooper was on a full basketball scholarship, and transferred to NYU after the 2012-2013 season. Her family must pay tuition, said Eilender. In an interview with Masslive, Eilender said she conducted numerous interviews with other players and their parents, who corroborated Cooper's complaints. Cooper, 20, is originally from Colts Neck, N.J. Her father played basketball at University of Louisville, according to her Holy Cross athletics bio. Gibbons is now entering his 29th year as the women's coach of the College. The Worcester native is a graduate of Clark University. In 2011, he became the 24th active coach to reach 500 career NCAA Division 1 victories.
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