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External review finds racial bias, bullying in the Iowa soccer program

An external review of Iowa’s soccer program found that many black players felt bullied and degraded, and recommended coach Kirk Ferentz and sports director Gary Barta to take steps to improve the culture.

Iowa commissioned the review conducted by Kansas City-based Husch Blackwell after more than 60 former players made allegations of racial inequalities in the football program in early June. The review found many positive comments from current and former players against Ferentz, but identified three coaching staff members, either on the field or from the strength and conditioning program, who “abused their power and abused and harassed players”.

On June 14, Iowa entered into a separation agreement with longtime strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle, which has been the subject of numerous allegations of abuse by former black players. Doyle, who denied any racial misconduct, received approximately $ 1.1 million (15 months’ salary) under the agreement.

Husch Blackwell announced that four personnel reports will be presented that summarize specific allegations of ill-treatment by current and former Iowa football employees.

Several players told investigators that Iowa’s race-related problems were “not just a Chris Doyle problem” and that Doyle should not be a “scapegoat” for broader problems. Ferentz and Barta have scheduled a press conference for 2 p.m. ET.

“I have read the report and it is clear that the climate and culture must and will change within our football program,” said University President Bruce Harreld in a prepared statement. “Our student athletes must have the ability to stay true to themselves, and we cannot and will not tolerate a systemic process that inhibits authenticity.”

Ferentz, who has been running Iowa’s program since 1999, said in a prepared statement that the review “confronts us with unequal treatment allegations that our culture, which required uniformity, made many black players feel like they could not appear as their authentic self .

“I want to apologize for the pain and frustration they felt at a time when I was trusted to help each of them become a better player and a better person.”

Husch Blackwell spoke to 111 people, including 45 current and 29 former Iowa football players, and 36 current and former program staff. The review covered areas such as black player treatment, black player retention, allegations of NFL draft prospects, and the general racial climate in Iowa.

One coach told investigators that he didn’t think Iowa was running a racist program, but was injured by one or two coaches who were too powerful. The same coach repeated many of the players’ claims that it was more difficult for black players because they had to adhere to different standards.

“A second coach said the players told him that the Iowa Way means you act like a white man and you can’t be yourself,” the report said.

Several players interviewed told investigators they thought Iowa’s team rules were aimed at black players. One said coaches used restrictions to “eliminate black culture”. Many former players said that Iowa’s black players faced a tougher and more frequent discipline than their white teammates.

According to the report, a coach said he had brought Ferentz the differences in the treatment of black players “a few times over the past four years with no resulting change”. A separate report from the Iowas Athletics Diversity Task Force also cited a staff member who said black players had received harsher penalties and didn’t feel welcome in the soccer building. Ferentz informed investigators that he had read the Diversity Task Force’s report in 2019 and shared “relevant information” with his staff.

A coach also told Husch Blackwell that black players are subject to different standards regarding weight loss and weight goals, but don’t inform anyone “for fear of retaliation.”

Several former players described verbal abuse received from coaches, including a former black player who told investigators that each black player appeared to have scored two goals on the day we got to Iowa. I was either a criminal or a stupid mother. um to these guys. “

Husch Blackwell’s investigators found that many players had positive comments about Ferentz and their position coaches, but still many felt “unhappy and undesirable” in Iowa.

ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren contributed to this report.

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