Media coverage: Coaching investigation
Press-Gazette story, video on coaching investigation news
The Green Bay Press-Gazette extensively covered news Thursday and Friday that UW-Green Bay is launching an independent investigation into head men’s basketball coach Brian Wardle, following a letter alleging mistreatment of a player. Chancellor Tom Harden received an email from a former player’s parents Tuesday evening, outlining allegations of improper verbal and other non-physical abuse. Harden responded Wednesday morning, informing the family he would hire an outside professional to launch an independent investigation into the allegations. Harden spoke Thursday with Press-Gazette reporter Rob Demovsky, recounting the timeline and saying the University will move as quickly as possible in proceeding with a thorough investigation. Wardle issued a brief statement Thursday, saying, “I will be supportive of this process and I’m confident in the findings. I will have no further comment until it is concluded.” Demovsky wrote a story that ran on the front page of Friday’s paper, and also discussed the issue in a 3-minute video posted on the paper’s website. You can find both, click here
Vandermause column says University taking fair course with investigation
Press-Gazette Sports Editor Mike Vandermause wrote about the University’s quick response to the allegations surrounding Wardle, and also urged readers not to rush to judgment, in a column that ran in Friday’s newspaper. “ … UWGB Chancellor Thomas Harden’s swift action upon receiving the complaint is a tell-tale sign that college administrators are taking the behavior of their coaches very seriously when it comes to the treatment of players,” Vandermause wrote. He also outlined some of the tough questions the situation raises, such as “What forms of verbal motivation are acceptable?” and “When does a coach cross the line into abuse?” You can read the column, titled “UWGB taking fair course with Wardle investigation,” click here.
McCarren, commentators offer context on Wardle situation
With the allegations against Wardle coming on the heels of the recent news at Rutgers University, news media comparisons between the schools’ coaching issues are perhaps inevitable. But commentators have been quick to point out key differences between the two situations, including the nature of the claim — no physical abuse is alleged — and the speed with which UW-Green Bay is acting to address and investigate the allegations. Longtime Green Bay sports reporter Larry McCarren commented on the difference in the allegations during a 6 p.m. report Thursday on NBC 26, and also discussed the difference in intensity between high school and the Division I level. During a 10 p.m. report, McCarren concluded his report by telling anchor Stacy Engebretson that “… certainly, I think everybody would agree it’s being handled in an appropriate manner.” You can watch both reports, here:
Report – 6 p.m.
Report – 10 p.m.
Additional coverage
Click the links for additional local and state coverage of the Wardle story. Various Gannett Media outlets, including USA Today, picked up Demovsky’s story and ran it online Thursday and Friday. Gannett owns the Press-Gazette.
WFRV, Channel 5
WBAY, Channel 2
WTAQ radio
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
