Rutgers University is again caught in the glare of scandal as Julie Hermann, the Athletic Director hired to clean up the last scandal has come under fire for her past coaching style.

 

Rutgers University President Robert L. Barchi (R) introduces Julie Hermann as Rutgers University athletic director
Rutgers University President Robert L. Barchi (R) introduces Julie Hermann as Rutgers University athletic director (Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
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The Star Ledger reports that volleyball players she coached at the University of Tennessee in 1997 filed a letter of complaint accusing her of mental and verbal abuse adding she called them "whores, alcoholics and learning disabled."

Reaction for New Jersey politicians was mostly of  disappointment at the school's administration for creating yet another problem. Former Gov. Richard Codey (D-Essex), currently a state Senator, compared the university to Comedy Central and called for President Robert Barchi to resign. "It's an embarrassment to the students and alumni of a great university and it's time Mr. Barchi takes his show on the road," Codey told the Star Ledger.

An unidentified Rutgers official told the Star Ledger. the situation is of "grave concern" to university officials.

Governor Chris Christie plans to speak wih Rutgers officials and promises to "ask questions."  Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak says the governor is aware of the report about Julie Hermann in the Star Ledger but wants to get more details before commenting.

State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) went so far as to call for the return of Tim Pernetti as Athletic Director which heartened Rutgers alumn Andy Sisti, a Pernetti supporter who created the Facebook page I Support Tim Pernetti. In a letter posted to the page,

Sisti writes in a letter to Barchi and the Board of Governors, "As unfortunate as these accusations against Julie Hermann are, they provide you with the unique opportunity of a second chance to reinstate Tim Pernetti." In the letter addressed to Barchi and the Board Of Governors, Sisti writes "make your legacy a positive one and let Tim Pernetti return to his rightful job and help usher in an era of athletic success underpinned by integrity and goodwill

Star Ledger columnist Steve Politi also reports that the recruiting company hired by Rutgers, Parker Executive Search, submitted 47 candidates for the Athletic Director position and Hermann was not on the list. Search committee Kate Sweeney added Hermann’s name to the list after Parker submitted their list.
Louisville Courier-Journal sports columnist Tim Sullivan, as first noted by the Star Ledger, tweeted that if she winds up losing the Rutgers position she would likely be able to return to Louisville University.

 

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