Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis fired head coach Shann Hart just days after a committee report on her alleged mistreatment of players was submitted to the chancellor’s office. Nearly a dozen players accused Hart of creating an atmosphere of fear. They say she asked them inappropriate questions about their personal lives, humiliated and intimidated them. Since Hart took over the program in 2004, 19 players have quit.

The school’s statement:

IUPUI Athletic Director Michael Moore today announced that the university has terminated without cause its contract with Women’s Basketball Coach Shann Hart, effective immediately.

Moore said that Hart, who was hired in 2004, will be paid the salary she would have earned during the remainder of her contract, which expires May 31, 2013.

The decision to terminate Coach Hart’s contract was made in the best interests of the program, Moore said.

A report from the Chancellor’s Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on the IUPUI Women’s Basketball Program is not being released because it is deliberative and personnel information.

The IUPUI Athletics Department has taken several steps to re-emphasize or start programs that assist student/athletes in freely raising concerns or complaints. Among them are:

Individual Team meetings were held to inform student-athletes about the student-athlete grievance procedure, financial aid policy and appeals process and the IUPUI transfer policy. These meetings were intended to highlight the information located in the IUPUI Student-Athlete Handbook and allow the opportunity for questions.

Monthly meetings have been scheduled between the athletics administration and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee officers to discuss issues that may be important to the student-athletes.

Moore said he plans to hire a new women’s basketball coach shortly.

• Report on IUPUI coach is in (indystar.com)
• Public left in dark about coach (indystar.com)

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