in all walks of life. This type of abuse happened at NCST and at ETSU in the recent past. The parents trusted these coaching staffs to take care of their kids and help them be good students while playing the game they love and they do this. It's sickening.

It's deeply troubling to hear about these incidents at NCST and ETSU. Trust between parents, players, and coaching staff is fundamental, and when that trust is broken, it can have lasting effects on young athletes' confidence and well-being. Programs that prioritize both skill development and character growth make a real difference. For instance, Barcelona Premier Soccer Club in San Antonio emphasizes not just technical training, but also values like respect, responsibility, and leadership, ensuring players develop holistically while staying safe and supported. Clubs with clear policies, certified coaches, and a focus on personal growth help prevent abuse and create a positive environment for athletes to thrive. Encouraging parents and players to research clubs’ philosophies and coaching standards before joining can go a long way in safeguarding kids and fostering a healthy sports culture. ** Edited by quentinstone at 4/2/2026, 8:26:15 AM ** Edited by quentinstone at 4/3/2026, 4:06:09 AM

lazy background checks. Calling references is the minimum. Calling former players, parents, etc. might've brought up red flags. The players of these two apparently suffered a lot. ** Edited by Joe Hokie at 4/1/2026, 1:14:36 PM

Sounds like it not only was an abusive culture (withholding food after losses) One playwer's quote: "They always berated us and said we sucked during practices and after each loss, and expressed how they couldn't wait for when their recruits and daughters to be on the team because we just weren't good," Mooney added. "They took us to Arby's after games because they never planned our meals, and after the second time of eating Arby's in one weekend, the majority of the team asked if we could get food at the Love's gas station instead, which afterward we were lectured on how ungrateful we were for not wanting Arby's." The two coached at Georgia State earlier in their career and when their contracts were not renewed "They took all the equipment and sold it," they stated. "So whenever the new staff went in there, they didn't have anything. They had taken everything and sold it. The girls didn't even have their own bats." Sounds like the final straw happened last week when "On two separate occasions earlier this month, Rick Nicholson brushed the chests of two players while attempting to swat away insects, the parents said. "When the second player objected to the contact, Rick Nicholson scolded the player, according to one parent. He walked into the dugout and threatened to cut the player, which was overheard and reported by an observer, two parents said. The following week, Rick Nicholson was informed that he would no longer be retained, and the parents said he was dismissed on Tuesday." Those two should never be allowed to coach again.

This line reads like an April Fools joke.

year of eligibility given the circumstances (assuming any of them want to come back for 1 more year under a new coaching staff)?

fell out of love with the game for a year so he needs another. This is a legitimate problem that seems to be deserving of granting another year of eligibility

year of eligibility if the NCAA wants to maintain the spirit of the bylaw. However, I do hope that players don't end up abusing this potential new loophole. What the UMBC players experienced is a serious issue and it should be treated with the utmost respect.

Probably too early in the process at the moment

I just didn't know if the NCAA (aka the HQ part in Nap Town) may be looking to try to get ahead of the story and take a proactive position since it is likely it may need to take action to formally ban the coaches vs. slow play it to see if the justice system does anything about it.

No wonder they don't have enough players to field a team. They probably all finally had enough and walked away.... And Arby's? Every game, sheesh. I like Arby's, but hell, take them to Golden Corral. It's cheaper and they can get what they want, as much as they want ** Edited by SarahVTHokie24 at 4/1/2026, 12:42:26 PM

on the Starz when they were coaching at Hampton and he actually came to me and told me that he knows it was illegal to try and recruit at that time but he wanted to give me their sales pitch anyway.

They give coaching a bad name.