Alyssa Graebner

Many athletes are terrified to speak up. They are told to “shut up” and “do whatever they are told.” To not “be a problem.” I will be quiet no longer. This is too important. Please. Help us. Abuse should not be the “normal.” @NCAA @NCAALAX @NCAADII

It’s time for change. This needs to change. It happens across the board at all divisions and schools. Schools are not being held accountable for their coaches’ actions and impact on their players. This change starts at the top with a zero-tolerance policy.

There is a HUGE difference between being a coach with high standards and discipline for your players and ABUSE.

Some athletes are so far into the abusive hold their coach has on them, they have no idea the reality of the abuse they are receiving and how poorly it is effecting them.

Many colleges keep gag orders on athletes. Keep the abuse under the rug.

Most importantly. A coach should NEVER be so abusive that the only way a student-athlete sees a way out of the abuse from their COACH is to end their life.

There shouldn’t be a day where an athlete has to “tough it out” and take the abuse from their coach because they hold a scholarship over their head that makes school possible for them. That’s called abuse. An abuse of power. Narcissism.

Athletes shouldn’t have to give up playing ONLY because of their coach. Athletes shouldn’t have to choose between their physical, mental, and emotional health and their sport BECAUSE OF THEIR COACH.

We should normalize that it should NOT be the “norm” to have abusive college coaches. It is sad - no heartshattering - that many young athletes are told to accept the fact and “get ready” for their collegiate coaches to emotionally abuse and harass them. This needs to change.