Stricklin responds to allegations against former Gators coach Newbauer

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Editor’s Note: This story includes charges of physical and mental abuse as well as attempted suicide.

GAINESVILLE, Fla – University of Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin offered a response to allegations against former Florida Gators women’s basketball coach Cam Newbauer on Monday morning.

Newbauer, according to Zachary Huber of The Independent Florida Alligator, has been accused of “making racist remarks, throwing basketballs at players during practices and insulting the team, assistant coaches and coaches.”

The Alligator’s report also stated that a former UF women’s basketball player attempted to kill herself.

Despite the accusations, which the Alligator reports date back to late 2017, Newbauer was offered a three-year contract extension by the university in February and signed it on March 30, 2021, according to documents obtained. by AllGators.

The extension was announced publicly on June 1. There were no new financial terms added to Newbauer’s contract at the time.

Stricklin’s full response to the September 27 allegations, the day the Alligator Story was published, can be found below.

“It is our responsibility to provide a championship experience with integrity, as well as the necessary support, to the student-athletes and staff of the Gators.

The culture of the women’s program led by head coach Cam Newbauer described in The Independent Florida Alligator article is in no way aligned with the values ​​of the University of Florida.

At times during Coach Newbauer’s tenure concerns were brought to our attention. Each time, additional information was sought and these concerns were addressed directly with Cam, as we requested corrective action and set clear expectations for behavior in the future. Additionally, the UAA improved administrative oversight and program presence and solicited anonymous feedback directly from student-athletes and staff.

In the end, we didn’t see the improvements required, and following discussions with coach Newbauer, he made the decision to step down.

The Alligator story revealed an exchange of letters and emails between Stricklin and the parents of Sydney Morang, who medically retired from basketball after the 2017-18 season.

In this exchange, which took place in 2018, Stricklin acknowledged that Assistant Director General of Sports, Lynda Tealer, had met with the players to collect information and “work to make improvements that improve the experience for our students.”

This apparently did not work out. Transfer of 2020-21 graduates Cydnee Kinslow said, via the Alligator, that Newbauer tends to make players “feel worthless.” And by the time Newbauer’s overtime went public this year, Stricklin had the following praise for the four-year-old UF coach.

“Cam is building his program the right way and progressing steadily. It is important that he has the time he needs to keep making progress.”

Newbauer would ultimately resign from his post just over a month after his extension became public, citing “personal reasons” for stepping down.

Stay tuned to AllGators for ongoing coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and scouting. Follow us on social media at @SI_AllGators on Twitter and Florida Gators on Sports Illustrated on Facebook.

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