An investigation into allegations of abuse by the University of Idaho’s women’s volleyball head coach Chris Gonzalez toward his players over the last two seasons continues as spring practices for the team have begun.
Gonzalez has been accused of physically pushing a player, pressuring injured players to play against orders of school medical staff, depriving players of food, body shaming players, making racially insensitive and inappropriate comments to players and pressuring sports medical staff to share confidential information about the players’ weight, according to an article published in The Orange County Register in southern California on Dec. 30, 2023, and confirmed by a volleyball player who spoke with the Argonaut.
Several volleyball players filed complaints about Gonzalez in November of 2023 to the UI’s Office of Civil Rights and Investigation, and an investigation from OCRI led by interim director Jackie Wernz began shortly after.
In the original Orange County article, Gonzlez stated in an email response that “these allegations are unfounded, displaced and dishonest.” The Argonaut contacted Gonzalez for comment, and he said he couldn’t comment now due to the investigation but would comment “when the findings come to light.”
ASUI issued a statement on Jan. 18 on the allegations and UI’s investigation, stating, “The Associated Students of the University of Idaho stands firmly with our fellow students on the UIdaho volleyball team’s right to a respectful and healthy college experience.”
The statement outlined that the reports from the Orange County Register in no way reflect what the student experience should be for anyone at UI and that the reports are of great concern. ASUI also emphasized that they hear these concerns and will ensure that student’s voices are represented. They also emphasized that they want all parties involved to receive fair treatment going forward.
“We as students must support one another in advocacy for the campus environment we all deserve.”
The statement also congratulated the women of the UI volleyball team for showing strength and courage in standing up for themselves against harassment and bullying.
ASUI President Tanner McClain commented further on the investigation, stating, “These processes are complicated and very bureaucratic. They must ensure protection of both parties affiliated with the investigation.”
President Scott Green addressed UI’s response and ongoing investigation into the matter in a Jan. 19 memo to the campus community.
“Our students are why we exist as an institution, and we treat their concerns with the utmost seriousness,” Green wrote.” As such, and as with all such complaints, we thoroughly investigate the claims made and at the conclusion of an investigation review the findings and take appropriate action.”
Green wrote in the memo that Gonzalez was fully supportive and cooperative with the investigation, and that climate and culture issues that are not generally covered by law are also being addressed.
UI has hired the Texas law firm of Thompson & Horton to investigate the complaints, and it’s unclear when the investigation, which started in late November, will conclude. Wernz, the interim director of the OCRI, is also listed as a staff attorney with Thompson & Horton.
Green also wrote that the university is taking several steps to ensure the well-being of student athletes.
A case manager, Beth Ropski, has been assigned to support the volleyball team by the office of the Dean of Students and will attend all practices and activities where the coach is present, or whenever requested by an athlete.
Mental health support is also being provided to all student athletes. A psychologist from the Counseling and Mental Health Center is being assigned to work with student athletes. Student athletes will also not be penalized for missing classes because of counseling sessions.
Student athletes were also provided the contact information for the university ombuds to provide them with support. Ombuds provide confidential, informal and impartial assistance to help facilitate a fair resolution to all parties involved.
Volleyball players are also being given the option to opt out of practices while the investigation is ongoing. They will not be penalized for missing practice. All player scholarships are secure throughout the investigation.
The volleyball team met with athletics and student support leadership and the assigned case manager to go over all support available to them and to answer any questions that they might have had about the investigation.
Green wrote, “Our primary goal remains to uphold our values and the principles of an inclusive, supportive and nurturing learning environment that all our students rightfully deserve. We are committed to a timely, but fair and thorough investigation.”
The Argonaut reached out to Dean of Students Blaine Eckles, Jodi Walker, the Senior Director of Communications, and Athletic Director Terry Gawlik for comment. All declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
Ben DeWitt can be reached at [email protected] or on X @BenDeWitt123