Photo Courtesy of Grambling University
Approved by the administration, Grambling State University’s newly-hired head volleyball coach, Chelsey Lucas, made a drastic change to the volleyball team — cutting 19 current players, KSLA reported.
Players were notified about their termination from the team on April 4 after Lucas sent a text to the girls to meet her in her office.
“The decision, it’s her decision to make, and she’s got some quality players coming on board,” the school’s Athletics Communications Director Brian Howard claimed. “I think 14 or 15 coming on board at some point, so in terms of things, I hate to say out with the old but in with the new a little bit.”
Howard acknowledged that the players being cut or losing their scholarships wasn’t something they wanted, but they’re keeping Coach Lucas’ and the institution’s goal, which is to win.
Grambling’s athletic director Trayveon Scott also agreed with Lucas’ change stating that the coaches rightfully determine what’s “necessary to advance their programs.”
However, the drastic decision has team members and their parents speaking out.
Maurisa Harris, a junior at Grambling and former team member, expressed her views about the abrupt change.
“She said that we weren’t able to practice much, which we weren’t and she said based off of that, she was not able to renew my scholarship, so I didn’t really get any time to show what I could do,” Harris explained. “When I was in there, and she told me, my heart completely broke. Of course, and I didn’t cry in there, but I did when I left, and it just hurts really bad, the fact that it was snatched away so fast.”
Naturi Parker is another student that was dropped from the team and discussed how hard she worked to get on the team before the cut.
“The fact I wasn’t even able to show what I can do is heartbreaking,” Parker said. “I just went through the recruiting process, didn’t get recruited, but still found a way to make it on the team.”
Parker claimed that Lucas bringing 14 or 15 girls had already been planned. Scott, however, speculates it was a rumor.
“I want to provide some fact,” Scott began. “I’ve been told, and again I’ve only spoken to two student-athletes, one prospective and one current, that Coach Lucas is bringing an entire team is inaccurate. My belief is it is four or five young ladies. I think the tone and tenor is that she cut the entire team. In fact, she intended to keep four or four.”
April 6, Howard told KSLA that Lucas had already recruited the 14 to 15 members, yet tryouts were on April 7.
High school students who were supposed to play for the team this fall were told that the scholarships weren’t being honored.
The email coach sent to potential team members stated, “Hope you had a great weekend. As the head coach of the Grambling State University Volleyball team, the decisions are made for the entire GSU Volleyball Program. With that being said, I am not honoring the walk-on letter of intent that was given to you by the previous coach.”
Some students like Parker contemplate whether they want to remain at Grambling or transfer. KSLA sources said that some of the cut players are meeting to discuss a game plan regarding the situation.
Lucas is a Grambling alumna, graduating from the university in 2007. She is also a former volleyball player who was SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all conference athlete.
The avid volleyball player first started in coaching in 2007. The Louisiana native has also lead teams at Allcorn State and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.