Sylvia Hatchell accused of racism toward players
The news comes days after the entire UNC women’s basketball coaching staff was placed on paid administrative leave pending a review.
North Carolina women’s basketball head coach Sylvia Hatchell is being accused of making racist remarks toward players and forcing athletes to play through injuries, according to a report by The Washington Post released late Thursday.
The report states that a group of parents of players made the allegations against the legendary coach during a meeting with university administrators on campus Thursday night. The allegations included Hatchell saying that players would get “hanged from trees by nooses” at a game if they did not improve their performance. She is also accused of attempting to start a “war chant” to “honor” an assistant coach’s Native American identity according to the report.
Some of those in attendance at Thursday’s meeting blamed Hatchell and a team doctor for pressuring at least three athletes to play through serious injuries. One of the players impacted says the coach doubted whether she had suffered a concussion, while another suffered a torn knee tendon and a third needed surgery to correct her shoulder.
More from ACC
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, November 9: Emma Meesseman tests positive for COVID-19
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, November 2: Shakeup in the ACC with Bollin commit, UNC retool
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, October 19: NCAA shakes up schedules, not scholarships
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, October 5: Seattle Storm take 2-0 Finals lead
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, September 10: Dream are (mathematically) stayin’ alive
The allegations come days after the university placed the entire women’s basketball coaching staff on leave pending a review to “assess the culture of the…program and the experience of our student-athletes.”
Hatchell’s attorney, Wade Smith, denies the allegations on his client’s behalf. According to the Raleigh News & Observer, Smith says while Hatchell apologizes for using the term ‘hang,’ she “absolutely did not use…the word ‘noose’” when attempting to get her team motivated for conference play.
"“She said ‘they are going to come after us, and hang us out to dry.’”"
Smith told both media outlets that Hatchell is not racist.
“A very high percentage of the people who have played for her and who love her are African-American women,” he told the Post. “She is a terrific coach, and a truly world-class human being.”
Hatchell also denied the allegations of making players play hurt, according to the News & Observer.
Administrators at the University of North Carolina say they will continue not to comment on the investigation until it is complete.
Love our 24/7 women’s basketball coverage? Join our Patreon now and support this work, while getting extra goodies and subscriber-only content for yourself.