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IMEMORANDUM

TO: Gary Barta, Director of Athletics

FROrvi: Josey Bathke, Director, University Employee and Labor Relations

Tlffiili Stevenson Earl, Compliance Specialist & ADA Coordinator

DATE; August 1,2014

SUBJECT: Field Hockey Program Review of Alleged Harassment and Violations of

Otf^er University Policies

i. SUIVIIVIARY

On or about May 19, 2014. Gary Barta, Director of Athletics (AD), requested an
independent review from University Human Resources and the Office of Equal
Opportunity and Diversity (EOD) of the Field Hockey (FH) program. The request came
after AD Barta received reports.of concerns oh or around May 7, 2014 about the FH
program, which Included allegations of harassment (bullying, verbal harassment, and
intimidation) of FH student-athletes (SAs) and a prohibited relationship between Tracey
Griesbaum, Head Coach of FH, and an Athletics administrator."' The review was
completed jointly by Josey Bathke, Director of University Employee and Labor Relations,
and Tiffini Stevenson Ear), Compliance Specialist and ADA Coordinator.

II. BACKGROUND

The individual{s) who reported concerns to the Department of Athletics requested to

remain anonymous during the review and requested that Bathke and Stevenson Earl not
address any concerns that would/could potentially identify a specific SA. Bathke and
Stevenson Earl honored these requests and proceeded to assess the overall
environment/climate of the FH program to determine if there were any university policy
violations.

Bathke and Stevenson Ear! conducted approximately 40 interviews during the review.
The interviews were with current SAs, former SAs^, Coaches (current and former),
Department of Athletics administrators, parents of SAs, and university faculty members.
The following university policies were taken Into consideration during the review;

Policy on Human Rights

Anti-Harassment Policy

^ During the review, allegations were also made related to NCAA ru le violations. NCAA rule violations are
not under the purview of either University Human Resources or EOD. The allegations were forwarded to
the Department of AlhJelics for their consideration,
2 Several former SAs did not respond to Bathke's and Stevenson Earl's request for an Iriterview.

EXHIBIT

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Policy on Violence
Antl-Retaliatlon Policy
Conflicts of Commitment and interest Policy
Conflict ofInterest in Empioyment(Nepotism)Policy
Ethics and Responsibilities for University of Iowa Staff

The investigation also included a review of the following documents:

FH StudentAthlete Year End Surveys(2010-2014)

Universal Competencies
FH coaches' performance reviews
FH coaches' employment contracts
Student-Athlete Grievance Procedures
Draft Revision of Student-Athlete Ghevance Procedures dated April 14,2014
Student Athlete Code of Conduct
Department ofIntercollegiate Athletics Poiicy Manual
Other pertinent documents.

III. INFORIWATION OBTAINED DURING THE REVIEW

The following Information is what Bathke and Stevenson Earl found during the review as
it relates to:

Interviews
There was a 2013 meeting with seniors, before the Big Ten Tournament, at which
both Coach Griesbaum and Assistant Coach Lisa CelluccI behaved
unprofessionally by raising their voices and becoming upset with SAs about
conversations and Interactions with SAs'parents. One SA behaved Inappropriately
as well by raising her voice and communicating in a disrespectful manner.
The majority of the current SAs positively^ described the program as intense and
highly-competitive.
Several current SAs stated that the coaches are clear in their expectations and
communications and they have not witnessed SAs mistreated by the coaching
staff,
Several SAs became emotionally upset during their Interviews; this included a SA
who indicated overall she enjoyed her experience but had not been able to talk
about her negative experience with the head coach since she finished playing FH
for the University of Iowa.
Several SAs described a fear-based team environment arid that SAs do not feel
comfortable vocalizing their complaints for fear of repercussions, which included
fear of their scholarship being reduced/taken away, reduced playing time or being
ostracized or singled out during team meetings, events or conversations. One SA
stated that coaches are "to be feared" as it relates to punishments given out.

3 Allegations were made that current student athletes would not speak truthfully/freely about the FH
environment for fear of consequences.There was no evidence presented to indicate that this was the
case;

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Another SA Indicated that if she would have been Interviewed two years ago she
would not have shared her information due to the fear-based environment of the
FH team.
A few examples of mistreatment reported by SAs but denied by Coach Griesbaum'
and unsubstantiated by other SAs:
o Called stupid
o Coach Griesbaum told a SA,".If I were,you I would kill myself
o SA had to practice alone while the resfof the team practiced together
o SA left her backpack In the airport so Coach Griesbaum called her to the
front of the bus and threw her backpack, which contained her laptop, down
on the floor;
Several SAs disclosed that they had sought treatment from a therapist due to their
mistreatment by Coach Griesbaum.''
Several SAs indicated that "call ouf meetings were negative, hurt the morale of
the team, and caused tension amongst some SAs and that there were "unwritten
rules" that SAs had to follow.
Several former SAs said they felt pressured to play when injured or that Coach
Griesbaum did not believe they were truly injured. Several SAs were "made to
believe their injury was not physical but mental and that they were using their injury
as an excuse or were perceived as lazy. Several SAs Indicated that once they were
injured. Coach Griesbaum treated them badly or they felt Intentionally ostracized,
o Coach Griesbaum denied that she pressured any SA to play injured. There
was no other evidence presented to indicate otherwise.
Several SAs indicated that Coach Griesbaum did not honor her word related to
their discussions about scholarships increasing over time at the University.
Several SAs indicated that if Coach Griesbaum does not like you she will pick on
you.
Two SAs indicated that they endured the treatment from Coach Griesbaum for
financial reasons and/or fear of losing their starting position.
One SA asserted that she was told by Coach Griesbaum that if she knew that the
SA had.a disability she would not have recruited her.
Several SAs indicated they wished they had not attended the University of Iowa to
play FH.

"One SA alleged that Coach Griesbaum had the team trainer attend the SA's therapy session; however,
Coach Griesbaum denied this allegation and the trainer stated that the SA requested that she attend the
session with the SA.Even though the SA granted permission for her therapist to speak with Bathke and
Stevenson Earl, the therapist declined to meet.
^ During these meetings, It is alleged that SAs "called out* each other related to their poor performance.
^ A few examples of unwritten rules included SAs only being permitted to drink coffee once a day and
cannot eat white bread during the season.

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Exit Surveys^
The following information was obtained from FH Exit Surveys from 2010-2014. Some of
the comments are direct quotes while others are the investigators summation.

2010-2011
v' No major concerns reported
2011-2012
^ "Strives to (sic) much for perfection. Players are hammered on after making
small mistakes"
^ Coaching staff weaknessapproachablllty of coaches at times; hard to talk
to on a personal level; critical; can be Intimidating; the team worries a lot
about doing everything right, because we don't know what the
consequences would be if we did something wrong
2012-2013
^ Some SAS'ieft the program because they experienced bullying from team"
members or did not gel along with coaches
^ Coaching staff weaknessesapproachablllty with team members;
inconsistent treatment of players; focus on the starters and build them up
over the years and don't focus on non-starters enough;some things said on
the sidelines are discouraging and transparent; this spring they waited too
long to address a major problem in our team;"I think sometimes they make
empty threats and the players sometimes lose respect then they don't follow
through;" communication is sometimes unclear and Inconsistent; some
faulty relationships between players and coaches (not major)
2013-2014
"Continual Issues with coaches and way the program is ran has pushed a
lot of my teammates- away from the program;" favoritism; inappropriate
player coach relationships; mistreatment of players; bullying from coaches;
"I would be extremely concerned about the mental well being (sic) of FH
athletes and I would Investigate the situation thoroughly. 1 would make a
coaches change based on # of players who quit & lives are negatively
impacted by these coaches"
"Assistant coach Is inappropriate w/some players asking about personal
lives and talking about underage partying"
^ Told "You come to practice with an attitude that says I want to kill myself
and "My parents are bad people who spread rumors;" "I felt constancy
attacked by coaches and always embarrassed In team settings. She would
call me out and pick on me. One assistant coach got in my face during a
session like this"
^ "I came to Iowa thinking it would be my haven and it quickly turned into my
heir

^ For 20.10-2012, a summary ofthe surveys was provided during the review as this viras the only format
that Athietice had available. For 2013-2014, a eopy of each FH survey was provided.

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"The verbal abuse I experienced Is completely assaultive; the environment

Is so unhealthy and unsafe; athletes feel uncomfortable to tell the truth
about coaches so scared of consequences"
V Teammates left due to unfair treatment and inappropriate and rude
Interactions that were disrespecting and hurtful to those players;
unwelcoming and disrespectful atmosphere; subjected to verbal and mental
abuse
V "I do not blame key players and starters for leaving due to disrespect,
mistreatment, and an unhealthy environment; I would never want to play for
coaches again after enduring what I have gone through; Coaches really
soured my senior year; I have seen teammates so stressed and mentally
abused by what the coaches say to them in Individual meetings or being
called out In team meetings; I have seen coaches bribe players w/chocolate
and food if they do well"

IV. CONCLUSION/FINDINGS

Bathke and Stevenson Earl considered all available Information and reviewed the totality
of circumstances and concluded that there was Insufficient evidence presented to
substantiate a violation of university policy; however, Bathke and Stevenson Earl have
serious concerns about the communication within the Field Hockey Program, the
perceptions of some SAs of program requirements/written and unwritten rules and the
head coach, and the relationships between some SAs and the head coach.

The evidence indicates that the 2013 meeting with the seniors, prior to the Big 10
Tournament, was an Isolated Incident and does not rise to the level of a policy violation;
however, the unprofessionalism demonstrated by the coaches Is highly Inappropriate and
concerning given their leadership roles In the FH program. Even though the evidence
does not rise to the level of a policy violation related to harassment, It Is very concerning
that several SAs consistently described a team environment of fear, Intimidation, and/or
mistreatment by Coach Griesbaum and that several SAs indicated they felt pressured to
play injured.

The evidence also Indicates that there was no prohibited relationship between.Coach
Griesbaum and an Athletics' administrator. ,

cc; Sue Buckley, Vice President for Human Resources

Kevin Ward, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Administration
Georglna Dodge, Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice President
Jennifer Modestou, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity

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