|
Softball: After Lotief firing, UL softball players locked out of Lamson ParkTim Buckley, The Advertiser, Nov. 2, 2017 One by one, they exited carrying in their hands and over their shoulders black trash bags containing their belongings. It was the end of a rough day and night for members of the nationally ranked UL softball team that got even rougher when they returned to their locker room Wednesday only to find themselves locked out of Lamson Park, where they were trying to retrieve personal possessions. Earlier in the day, longtime Ragin’ Cajuns softball coach Michael Lotief was fired by the university as the result of allegations against him. Multiple members of Lotief’s staff also were terminated. Lotief is accused by the university of violating its policies by subjecting student-athletes and coworkers to violent, vulgar language and verbal and physical assault. More: UL fires head softball coach Michael Lotief After the firing, Cajun players met first with members of UL athletic administration at their offices and later attended a press conference at Lotief’s attorney’s office in which Lofief denied the charges. When they returned to the locker room to gather the personal items they had left there, including backpacks containing materials needed for class Thursday, they found the access gate was padlocked. For about an hour Wednesday night, Cajun softball players were locked out of their locker room. (Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network) Unable to get in for about an hour and unsure whom to contact, they eventually called the UL police department. The police who responded could not help. “So we’re just sitting out here waiting to get in and get our stuff,” sophomore pitcher Alyssa Denham said. A representative of the Cajun athletic department eventually was contacted and arrived to let the frustrated players inside. “It’s just really bad timing with everything,” redshirt freshman outfield Aeriyl Mass said before the gate was unlocked. “This is all a lot in one day for everybody, and I feel like this is just too much.” Related: Coach Lotief never wavered in supporting women, players Nico Yantko, UL’s deputy athletic director for external operations, suggested later Wednesday night that the gate was locked in accord with standard operating procedure when a coaching change is made. A padlock was used only because automated codes had not yet been changed. Moreover, Yantko added, “none of our facilities have 24-hour access.” “They’re typically programmed around practice times,” he said, “so after-hour entry is unique.” A UL police officer stands guard as Ragin Cajun softball players wait to get into their locked locker room. (Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network) As a UL police officer and the UL athletic-department rep stood watch, players left the locker room carrying what appeared to be bags loaded with possessions. It was unclear if personal gloves or other equipment was taken, but one Cajun said she was taking what she could because she didn’t “know if it’s gonna happen again.” But the gate was locked, Yantko said, “not to keep student-athletes out.” Earlier: Response to UL softball coach Lotief being placed on administrative leave “They’ll be back in (Thursday), just as a normal operating day,” he said. Nothing about what happened Wednesday, however, is normal. Numerous Cajun players back Lotief, and Denham called his firing “very heartbreaking.” “Having such a great person being taken out of not only my life but all of my friends’ lives – these are my sisters – it’s like losing a family member,” she said. Denham said she had never witnessed any of the behavior Lotief is accused of, and said she has not decided if she’ll remain with the program or leave UL. Mass also does not know what her future with the program holds. She wasn’t thinking about that Wednesday, she said. But she does know one thing: Lotief has her support. “He’s taught me a lot about myself individually,” she said, “and I know I can say that for everybody.” Contributing: Scott Clause Related: UL’s Lotief first in US to receive new medical device
|