A group of 6 former University of Oregon volleyball players have drafted an open letter to the schools’ Athletics Department supporting the decision to terminate former coaches Jim and Stacy Moore.
The letter was specifically written by Naya Crittenden, who played for 2 years at Oregon before transferring to Illinois for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The now-graduated opposite, who is playing professionally in Puerto Rico, ranked 3rd last season for the Illini in kills with 255 across 109 sets.
“This letter is to tell you that we agree with the decision you have made to fire Jim (Moore) and Stacy (Moore), and we believe it ensures the well-being of the current Duck team, as well as all future Duck women who will come into the program,” the letter reads. “Although it is frustrating that it has taken the university and the athletic department this long to address the ongoing situation surrounding the former coaches, we are glad it has finally been handled.”
“Their misconduct was never dealt with properly by the athletic department even when individuals came forward. Because of this, those of us who suffered under their mistreatment didn’t know whom we could trust to take action on our behalf without jeopardizing our reputation. Even now, many former Duck women are scared to voice their experiences in fear of receiving backlash that could hinder their future endeavors with athletics or their careers. ”
In the release announcing the firing of Jim Moore as University of Oregon head coach, the school said that Moore ‘acknowledged that his coaching style may have been viewed negatively by some student-athletes,” and that “Coach Moore and the UO have come to realize that his coaching style is mismatched with the standards of the University of Oregon athletic department.”
Along with the general letter, two of the signatories, Crittenden and Nicole Kevorken, wrote more personal letters about he reasons they transferred and their experiences playing under Moore. Kevorken transferred to Loyola Marymount after her freshman season at Oregon.
Not all of Moore’s former players are happy with the decision, however. At least three such players, Kristen Rott, Sonja Newcombe and Natalie Bookout, wrote a letter in support of Moore, saying that they believe that Moore was “forced to resign” based on “rumors.” The group that supports Moore believes that “he worked tirelessly with my team to value and believe in their abilities. Others remember him as the comforter or the encourager [sic] for getting over life’s disappointments.”
“No word [sic] could console someone like Jim Moore during this time, as his team and University demand he resignes while he knows so much potential lay [sic] in store),” the letter, attributed to the words of Rott, expresses.
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