Reddit Thread Re:New Kenny Brooks Mistreatment Allegations
Interesting read
70 Replies
Wish he would mistreat Clara Strack next. I’d like to see her in the
portal with a DNC tag because she misses VT.
(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
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BEST2VT
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biggest loss. Otherwise, feel that the program is in better shape for the long term, particularly given much of the stuff coming out about CKB.
(In response to this post by vatechcowpatty)
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She is not leaving. Now, Silva was not a baby and is leaving.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
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saying, “Clara is my baby.” Strack, that is.
(In response to this post by HokieJack)
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Not elite, but decent. Word!
(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
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Hokster
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I can't go back in my memory and figure it out.
(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
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Va AandM
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(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
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If we knew how Taylor Geiman's story went with her injuries.
(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
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It didn't seem like she left in frustration and that she left for a nice career opportunity after graduating.
(In response to this post by LkRidgeHokie)
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academically than VT"? WVU?? rotflmfao!!
(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
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(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
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read it wrong. Don't think I did but it's possible.
(In response to this post by I love VT!)
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I thought it was the other way around?
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
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Did you every say "this doesn't really track.". Yea, me neither. Kentucky's problem now, but having a daughter it burns me the way this grown man treats some of these young ladies. Sounds like he has a bit of a Napolean complex.
(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
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this “family” persona. The Rowe story was the one that got the most attention, but I think the way he ghosts his own players during the season is honestly worse, and it’s not a one time instance
(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
Winning cures all, as they say.
He won, so a lot of it never saw the light (outside of the Owusu stuff, which is very different from this situation.) Happened a lot. Lot of kids transferred in, but just as many (or more) transferred out, and they all have their individual reasons. There wasn't a spotlight on the program when a lot of that stuff was happening, too. And there are even former players who starred for the program that aren't on good terms with him and those around him anymore. Norris' story is just one of many.
Bottom line is Norris got in the doghouse early and was isolated and alienated as a result. Only thing that made me raise an eyebrow was what she said about him refusing to sign her waiver, allowing her to play at her next school (Central Michigan), but he can be, to put it plainly, very petty, so it's not that surprising.
(In response to this post by jfrance41)
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put a lot of that on his assistant coaches. Apparently surrounded by yes men/women. If a player isn’t happy, they should know. And give the big cheese a heads up. But that apparently not done. And he appears surprised when notified too late. Likely, they’re scared to tell him.
And the players apparently do not have an outlet/safe space to talk to about what issues they might have.
I’m probably reading too much into it. But he always just felt “off” to me.
Where’s VVV to set us all straight?
** Edited by Stork at 4/23/2025, 2:46:49 PM
(In response to this post by David Cunningham)
Agree with most of that. Like a lot of coaches,
he's surrounded by yes men/women, like you said. Basically his way or the highway. But him "appearing surprised" is more of a facade. He and his staff know what's going on. They choose to/have chosen to handle things certain ways. It wasn't a mistake that Norris was isolated like that. Everyone in that program knew exactly what they were doing. And like I said before, it wasn't just her, but most flew under the radar, and she's really the first to come forward and mention anything about it.
(In response to this post by Stork)
Why would you do it? What does it get you?
(In response to this post by David Cunningham)
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who is now an Assistant with him (Kendall Dillard) had no issue with alienating her, not having her jersey out etc. Really weird way to run a team
(In response to this post by Stork)
No inside knowledge but guess nothing was done without blessing of HMFIC
(In response to this post by jfrance41)
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... the "Lean On Me" version of that acronym. :)
(In response to this post by HokieAllMyLife)
First I've seen this acronym... and chuckled once I discovered its meaning.
(But yes. I was told that it was often like walking on eggshells around him because you didn't want to set him off. Nothing done without his approval/permission.)
(In response to this post by HokieAllMyLife)
+1. I also had to look it up.
(In response to this post by David Cunningham)
Of all the places I have used it, this may fit the best.
(In response to this post by David Cunningham)
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(In response to this post by David Cunningham)
Berman typically deserved it.
(In response to this post by CunningFam)
Eh. But it wasn't just to Berman.
(In response to this post by HokieAllMyLife)
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Until someone is publicly abused physically or haranged, most fans buy into the coach who is winning ...who can do no wrong. Anyone who criticizes the coach (other figures in societ as well) is labeled "has an agenda, has an axe to grind, bitter". Then you hear the "VT is family", "He is like a father figure", "he works with players individually, what head coach does that!!!" and fans buy into the image. Until the winning stops.
** Edited by VAHokie89 at 4/23/2025, 1:46:01 PM
(In response to this post by Stork)
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(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
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Followng mantras we hear all the time:
"Trust the coach"
"Trust the process"
"The coach knows what he/she is doing"
There is a reason coaches get fired. They make mistakes. They don't/can't recruit the right players. They don't necessarily know what they are doing enough to win, they have their skeletons, etc.
it is really funny when fans are critical of coaches and you see the "the coaches know more than the typical fan" and then you see the coach criticized by national media and fired for many of the things that fans point to. I am in my cynical zone today.
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
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(In response to this post by Stork)
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for him when the Awusu dust up was going on. I didn’t know the whole story, but I think I do now.
(In response to this post by jfrance41)
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Hokster
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But Owusu had an attitude problem and was not a team player.
(In response to this post by GCHokieof91)
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body language, but who’s to say Kenny’s terrible culture didn’t cultivate that. I always compare that situation to how Rose handled her banishment to Siberia. She never stopped being a good teammate, put in the work during warmups even when she knew she wasn’t going to play, and stayed ready for when she ultimately had to fill in for Liz.
(In response to this post by Hokster)
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to be a team player though?
(In response to this post by Hokster)
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The "problem" seemed to be [more] evident on her return. CKB had set his 6-7 for the season run. She no longer "fit."
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
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has lost any bit of possible credibility from me.
I really think if/when either of his two female assistants moves on, it will spell the beginning of the end for him.
(In response to this post by Hokster)
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Hokster
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situation as well. Something was off with that. They definitely didn't get along with each other towards the end. I know she ended up at Notre Dame but she was considering other schools when she left. It wasn't just to leave to go to Notre Dame.
(In response to this post by Stork)
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RJHokie
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(In response to this post by Hokster)
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to play in that too. And it's not as though VT is the first (or last) place she had issues.
It was a poor decision on his part to bring her here and worked out badly for all involved.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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RJHokie
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I’m certain that it wasn’t all Brooks, but he had some culpability too.
(In response to this post by I love VT!)
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There are 2 sides to every story. But at the time I discounted AO’s complaint about being excluded from the group chat (IIRC), and I shouldn’t have. Winning hides some unpleasant truths.
(In response to this post by I love VT!)
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I say this from only one perspective because I don't remember enough of the details right now.
If there was a team group chat that she was excluded from, then that to me is an issue.
If there was a "captain's only" or "key players' only group chat, I am not concerned. I could see a coach having a group chat with the key players that he uses to communicate things like "hey, talk to player D to check her spirits", "let the players know that we are going to have a surprise practice". "hey, it would be good to make sure you take the freshmen under your wing", "hey, make sure everyone is ready to get on the bus by..." More like a leadership council group chat .... Or of course the favorite chat!
** Edited by VAHokie89 at 4/23/2025, 11:38:54 AM
(In response to this post by GCHokieof91)
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Hokster
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when she transferred. That was the rumors over there.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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RJHokie
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in Brenda’s good stead when they left. But I think Brooks still caused some of the issues at VT.
(In response to this post by Hokster)
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2hhoop3
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There are most always two sides to a story, even if one is viewed from a more skewed perspective than another. Something happening once can be viewed as an anomaly, however, two or more times becomes more indicative of a trend or specific issue. The same thing applies to coaches as well with repeat incidents, maybe even moreso, given that adults should learn from past events.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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learn from past events, make good decisions, an advise players on making good decisions. etc, etc... We have clearly seen over a long historical time period that many adults typically do the opposite: don't learn, don't make good decisions, are a$$es, can't give or take advice...etc..
Sorry, cynical.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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2hhoop3
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many don't learn and cynicism continues to grow but, I think the older/wiser expectation still applies even if diminishing in frequency.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
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drc1956
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I'm still not sure how Angel graduated from LSU. That's a whole different story.
But if there was an attitude issue it was in addition to the BIG rule that was going to deny her a chance to continue playing due to low grades.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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RJHokie
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way known.
(In response to this post by GCHokieof91)
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RJHokie
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Wonder when more poop will turn up.
(In response to this post by CapitolHillHokie)
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nothing but the poop"!!!
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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Hokies83
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When watching games and post-game interviews during Brook's last season, there were comments and coaching decisions made that did not seem quite right; however, KB usually presented a calm, caring demeanor, so I thought maybe it was just my Mom/Teacher senses that made me overly sensitive.
I am so sorry that this went on at VT. Our past winning seasons were fun; however, it feels a bit tainted now that I know of the coaching staff's behaviors.
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)