Penn State women’s basketball coach Carolyn Kieger has been accused of psychological abuse, bullying and making racially insensitive comments in a new report.
Under the coach, who held the same role at Marquette from 2014-19, two former players had suicidal thoughts, while ten called the experience of playing under her ‘one of the worst of their lives,’ according to Onward State.
Danielle King, who went on the record for the piece, was one of those players and said Kieger at one point dismissed her suicidal thoughts.
‘She basically talked me down to go into seeing the student counselor, or the counselor on campus, or whatever,’ King said. ‘And she was like, ‘I just think you need to go to the gym more,’ and basically shamed me in saying my work ethic was the reason why I was depressed,’
Another unnamed player, who played under Kieger at Marquette, said her ‘mental health declined very quickly.’
College basketball coach Carolyn Kieger has been accused of psychological abuse
Kieger, formerly the coach of the Marquette women’s squad, now coaches Penn State
‘… I was taking medication for depression for the first time in my life. And she knew some of these things about me, and I just didn’t feel like she was concerned,’ the player said, while adding they have not dealt with suicidal thoughts since leaving the school.
Allazia Blockton, a decorated player at Marquette, said that Kieger was ‘our biggest enemy, our biggest hater, and she tried her hardest to tear us down.’
A former Marquette player also accused Kieger of ‘character attacks’ and ‘psychological damage.’
Kieger was also accused by Blockton of making the team go in a ‘freezing’ pool in hoodies when ‘half’ of the team couldn’t swim.
‘People can’t swim, so we’re holding up our teammates. People are screaming. People are drowning,’ Blockton said.
Kieger was also accused of making racially insensitive comments such as asking King (who is black) if her sister was with the father of her child.
Former Marquette star Allazia Blockton said Kieger was ‘our biggest enemy, our biggest hater’
Former PSU player Kayla Thomas also said Kieger ‘always referred to her African American athletes as more of dirty work players.’
Kieger was also accused of body shaming, with several players saying she ‘fixated’ on weight.
In a media session on Tuesday, Kieger said she had read Onward’s story and was ‘disappointed’ to hear a ‘few’ of her ex-players had negative experiences under her.
‘I tell our players every day that every opportunity, whether it’s good or disappointing, is an opportunity to learn and grow and elevate and get better, and this is what that opportunity presents myself.’
‘…No. 1 goal for our program is to provide a space for our young women to become the best versions of themselves,’ she continued. ‘And I’ll definitely evaluate ways that I can improve and make the student-athlete experience a positive one.’
Notably, three players and two assistant coaches spoke positively about Kieger.
‘I’m not surprised [by the allegations] because kids nowadays when it doesn’t go their way, they’re going to look for someone to blame,’ former Marquette assistant Scott Merritt said.
In a statement to Onward, Penn State said it ‘takes seriously any allegations of misconduct, and any reports are thoroughly reviewed.
‘In addition, Intercollegiate Athletics conducts annual student-athlete surveys of its programs, as well as exit interviews with student-athletes and staff members departing their respective sport programs. Based on direct feedback from student-athletes, Coach Kieger and the women’s basketball staff provide a positive and inclusive environment with a focus on their development on and off the basketball court.’