Loyola University Fires Women's Basketball Coach Sheryl Swoopes Amid Investigation

Swoopes has been the subject of intense scrutiny since 10 players on the team accused her of mistreatment

Amid an investigation into mistreatment of players, Loyola University fired head women’s basketball coach Sheryl Swoopes on Sunday night.

"Sheryl Swoopes is no longer serving as the women’s basketball coach at Loyola University Chicago," Loyola AD Steve Watson said in a statement. "A search for her replacement will begin immediately. Loyola thanks Sheryl for her service to the women’s basketball program."

Swoopes, who was hired by the university in 2013, has been the subject of intense scrutiny ever since 10 players on the team accused her of mistreatment.

Those players, who came forward to the school’s newspaper, all requested transfers or release from their scholarships because of the incidents in question, and while the investigation is still ongoing, the school has acted to remove Swoopes from her position.

Allegations first surfaced in April, and the school began an investigation into Swoopes’ conduct at that time.

The Ramblers went 14-16 during the 2015-16 season, losing six of their last eight games. 

Swoopes has coached at Loyola for three seasons, and her teams have gone a combined 31-62. She was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this year.

Swoopes previously served as an assistant at Mercer Island High School in Washington state in 2010, according to Loyola's website.

Swoopes led Texas Tech to the 1993 NCAA title and was the first player signed by the WNBA. She won four straight titles with the Houston Comets and earned three Olympic gold medals.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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