Sheryl Swoopes investigated for allegedly mistreating her players
Sheryl Swoopes is being investigated by Loyola University following mass transfers and accusations that the women's basketball Hall of Famer turned coach mistreated her players.
Five players transferred last season, according to reports, and team spokesman Leo Krause confirmed that 10 of the 12 players that were expected to return have been granted or asked for releases to transfer from the private Chicago university.
The school then announced it is investigating the allegations of mistreatment, the details of which have not been released, and said Swoopes agreed to cooperate.
A source told the student newspaper that Swoopes will “cross the line” when it comes to players' personal lives, and one former player who transferred confirmed that was her reason for transferring.
“She really pushes them to the point of misery and to the point where they shut down,” the source told the Loyola Phoenix. “A lot of them feel very trapped about who they can talk to in the Athletic Department because regardless of who they choose, it usually gets back to Sheryl … And I think when it gets to that point … there is no outlet.”
Swoopes, a first-time head coach hired in 2013, is a combined 31-62. A third-time Olympic gold medalist, she won a national title at Texas Tech in 1993 and was the first player drafted into the WNBA, where she won four straight titles with the Houston Comets.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
