The ongoing investigation into abuse allegations by Idaho volleyball head coach Chris Gonzalez could have a dramatic impact on the future of the volleyball program, according to a UI volleyball alumnus.
Meredith Rice, a former Idaho State volleyball player and nationally known recruiting coordinator, said the timing of the study will have a ripple effect on the fall 2024 volleyball roster. Rice, who graduated from the UI in 2010, is a member of the National Top 15 Academy Volleyball Club in Cleveland, where he works as a director and recruiting coordinator.
Rice said the outcome of Gonzalez's investigation, whether or not he is fired, does not change the fact that the program will be in “chaos” for years to come.
The investigation is reportedly nearing completion. Jodi Walker, UI's executive director of communications, confirmed Monday that “the report is in the works.” Walker said the report will be made available to everyone involved, including Gonzalez, the players and president Scott Green. However, Walker said the report will not be made more widely available if it contains sensitive information about students that is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Even if Gonzalez is acquitted, the investigation's headlines and abuse allegations will remain. Rice said if two coaches scout the same player, one from Idaho and one from a competing school, the only thing a competitor has to do to beat Idaho is said it would send the player a Dec. 30 Orange County Register article with details. Gonzalez's alleged abusive behavior.
“Why choose a school with a headline?'' Ms. Rice said. “No one wants to risk their future. They have dedicated their lives to volleyball since they were 10 years old.”
Rice said she saw UI volleyball assistant coach Romana Redondo Kryskova at the Triple Crown tournament.
“That poor girl went up for recruitment that weekend,” Rice said. She again mentioned the difficulties Kryskova could potentially face in the tournament.
Coach Rice said if Gonzalez stays, the only players available to Idaho to scout will be either varsity players, players late in the transfer portal, or players for whom Idaho is the only offer.
“They're going to take whoever's available. They're not going to take the best one,” Rice said. “What kind of players will we acquire in such a hopeless situation?”
incomplete list
Rice said there is a real possibility that the Vandal volleyball roster will not be filled this fall if Gonzalez is not fired. He also said teams may not have a preseason (non-conference) schedule in the fall for multiple reasons.
“No one is going to put him (Gonzalez) on their schedule,” Rice said. “Idaho State's RPI (Rating Performance Index) is very low. There's no advantage to other schools losing.”
Rice said hiring will still be difficult even if Gonzalez is fired. She said it will take time for a new coach to gain trust, respect and confidence from prospective players and recruiting coordinators like Rice.
“Poor souls who have to get up and clean up this mess,” Rice said. “That'll be two to one.” –A three-year battle. They'll have to do the work of proving they're not another Chris. ”
Coach reliability and stability are paramount to player retention, said Kelsey Bouska, a former Vandal volleyball player and 2009 UI graduate.
Bouska, who has worked at the highest levels of the sports industry for many years, said girls were twice as likely to drop out of the sport than boys. This statistic is caused by several barriers.
“Every detail of the (alleged) abuse in the (Orange County Register) article hits one of those barriers,” Bouska said. “It's sad and discouraging. It's hard to understand how it got here so quickly.”
“But I'm confident that if the right actions are taken, the volleyball program will be back in good shape. That's a big assumption, though.”
anti gala
Mr. Bouska and Mr. Rice believe the right course of action is to proceed with the investigation as quickly as possible and to terminate Mr. Gonzalez. Bouska, Rice and more than 30 other Vandal alumni and athletes chose not to attend the Vandal Scholarship Fund Gala in Boise on Feb. 23 because Gonzalez was not fired. did.
The annual gala brings together Vandal donors and alumni to raise funds for University of Idaho scholarships. It's an event that former Idaho State volleyball teammates Haley Janicek, Rice and Bouska look forward to every year. However, with the investigation pending, the three felt it was not the right time to attend the event and donate to the school.
Many of those who chose not to attend were still in Boise on Feb. 23, but “we had kind of an anti-gala,” Rice said. ) situation. ”
Janicek confirmed that more than 30 vandals chose not to attend the celebration, specifically because the investigation had not been completed. She recalled one of the donations made at the 2023 gala, where she said one donor gave $50,000.
“This shows the economic impact of cancellation,” Janicek said. “This was something actionable we could do to make our voices heard.”
Joanna Hayes can be contacted at: [email protected]
