There are many concerns that I have following the latest NU scandal involving women’s hockey coach Joy Woog.
While it’s understood that no official charges have been pressed against Woog on whether or not she struck one of her players in practice, nor has an lawsuit been filed, it’s apparent that something has to be wrong.
I’m not going to point fingers at Woog and state that she is wrong because I know not the whole story. I would prefer, without question, that this little scenario be handled properly by the Northeastern Athletics Department.
But like I said, I have concerns and they stem from the recent letter received by The News from Pam Pachal that stated that the two players, both Pachal and Lorion, as well as many other players, had displayed their displeasure with Woog stating that “over the last three years, hockey players have been going to the athletics department” about various situations involving Woog.
According to the letter, on January 3, the two players met with athletics and nothing was resolved. Not one member of the athletics department came forward with answers and no one seemed to know what was going on.
How come this has been going on for three years — since Woog came into office — and we’re only now hearing about it? How long have the e-mails and phone calls been taking place? Has this verbal abuse been going on for three years and, if so, why has no one come forward until now?
Three years! Three years and nothing has surfaced.
This reminds me of another time, when Joy Malchodi, the former women’s basketball player, who coached at Northeastern for nearly 20 seasons as the head coach, took the Huskies to an NCAA birth and nearly beat North Carolina in the first round of the tournament.
Two years later, Malchodi was sent packing because of her conduct on the sidelines.
If the same things are going on, then Woog should be held accountable.
How much of this goes on behind the scenes? How many coaches and players have been in shouting and even physical fights at one point in time? I also remember a former NU basketball player who was screaming and yelling at former NU coach Rudy Keeling in the locker room following another Husky loss. Nothing was reported on and no one said anything about it, but it was more than just a mere disagreement.
Woog was told by the athletics department not to say anything about the situation. She was told to keep quiet. Why is she not to defend herself? Is the school afraid that she will give herself away?
Since Woog is not allowed to comment on the situation, there has to be an investigation going on. But whatever the case, the athletics department needs to release a statement regarding Woog. Whether they are supporting her through this or not. Especially if there is any truth to the rumor that a lawsuit could be filed.
Am I tired of this happening? Of course. Would I like to see Woog punished? If deserving, then yes.
This is not something you can sneak underneath the rug, especially since the same thing happened at Clarkson with the men’s hockey coach and it seems to me that the university is trying hard to keep this under wraps instead of being forthright and saving face.
If the allegations by Pachal, and (to a lesser extent) Lorion are true, and the university has sat in their offices for the last three years and done nothing to rectify the situation, than that is inexcusable. There’s no question in my mind that this situation needs to be handled with a more aggressive approach.
Take action, Northeastern. Stand your ground.
In the locker room:
A big thanks to the Dog House who gave me a shout out from down below in the FleetCenter. Thanks guys … Five years and no Beanpot. Now I know what former NU sports editors Mike Trocchi and Aaron Michlewitz went through … Men’s hoops have been scalding lately winning five of their last six in the America East.
