Duke: McCallie and AD address evaluation of women’s basketball program
In light of an evaluation of the women’s basketball program to investigate claims that head coach Joanne P. McCallie mistreated players and coaches, Duke released statements today from the university’s athletic director and McCallie.
Several players have transferred from Duke in recent seasons. At the end of this past season, all-American sophomore Azurá Stevens left for UConn and the preseason national freshman of the year, Angela Salvadores, returned to her native Spain. In addition, the program has seen high turnover of assistants.
Duke finished 2015-16 with a 20-12 and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1994.
Athletic director Kevin White
“Joanne P. McCallie is, and will be, our head women’s basketball coach and we support her. A three-time ACC Coach of the Year, she is a winning coach who has averaged more than 27 wins per season, won three ACC Championships and led our program to the NCAA Elite Eight four times.”
“We have received and thoroughly reviewed the evaluation report of the Duke women’s basketball program. The purpose of this evaluation, which Duke Athletics initiated with an outside party, was for Duke women’s basketball to get even better. I have discussed the results at length with coach McCallie, and we are indeed in a position to improve Duke women’s basketball for present and future student-athletes, coaches, and staff alike. We are grateful for the efforts of those who worked so diligently and provided information for this project, including coach McCallie, and for their deep commitment to Duke women’s basketball. The student-athlete experience at Duke is our highest priority, and we will always take seriously any concerns that we are not meeting that goal.”
Head coach Joanne P. McCallie
“The information we received from this process, and the subsequent conversations with Duke Athletics leadership, afforded me an opportunity to consider my ongoing efforts to be the best possible basketball coach and leader of young women. I have always understood that it is an honor and a privilege to coach student-athletes, and that is a commitment I brought with me to Duke University. I understand that it is my obligation to uphold the highest standards of excellence in all areas. After in-depth discussions with Dr. White, I am satisfied that we share a clear vision moving forward in our aspirations to maintain a championship level women’s basketball program. Going forward, I expect these to be the reasons the Duke women’s basketball program is in the spotlight, and, as the head coach, it is my responsibility to make it happen.”
