Rutgers President Stands Behind Incoming Athletic Director, Despite Allegations

Rutgers University President Robert Barchi reiterated his support for incoming Athletic Director Julie Hermann in a statement issued Monday, May 27.

“Julie Hermann’s appointment as the next director of intercollegiate athletics at Rutgers University followed a rigorous and consultative selection process to ensure we had the best person for the position,” Barchi said in the statement. “We look forward to her joining Rutgers and leading the university through the coming transition into the Big Ten.”

Hermann came under fire over the weekend after allegations of physical and mental abuse toward players on the University of Tennessee volleyball team surfaced. The abuse was alleged to have taken place 16 years ago.

Former assistant coach Ginger Hineman has also stated that Hermann unfairly fired her after she had a baby. This followed comments of a similar nature made by Hermann at Hineman's wedding. Hermann initially said she had no recollection of attending Hineman's wedding, before saying it was a “smart alec comment.”

Sports Illustrated later obtained a videotaped copy of those comments. That video played an intregal part in Hineman's suit against Tennessee in 1997.

Hermann was hired to take over as Athletic Director after  Tim Pernetti resigned over the scandal involving head basketball coach Mike Rice.

Rice was fired from Rutgers after a video surfaced showing what was termed “abusive behavior” toward his players during practice.

Hermann, the former Athletic Director at the University of Louisville, was one of 63 candidates vetted by a committee made up of Rutgers’ stakeholders and leaders in the sports community around the country.

“The search was coordinated by an experienced executive search firm and included a thorough background check conducted by one of the world’s leading private security firms,” Barchi said. “Rutgers was deliberative at every stage of this process. Over the course of the search, Julie's record established her as a proven leader in athletics administration with a strong commitment to academic success as well as athletic excellence, and a strong commitment to the well-being of student athletes. Since the announcement of her selection, some media reports have focused on complaints about aspects of her early career. Looking at Julie’s entire record of accomplishment, which is stellar, we remain confident that we have selected an individual who will work in the best interests of all of our student athletes, our athletics teams, and the university.”

Hermann, who will take over as Athletic Director on June 17, also issued a statement on Monday, through the college. She said there’s a “vast difference” between what she called “intense behavior,” and the abusive behavior alleged by her former players.

“I know the recently published story has caused distress. I was never notified of the reported letter outlining the concerns of some former athletes,” Hermann said. “However, I am truly sorry that some were disappointed during my tenure as coach.  For sure, I was an intense coach, but there is a vast difference between high intensity and abusive behavior.”

She reiterated that any legal issues have already been addressed, and Rutgers was aware of her past at the time of the hire.

“On the matter of the litigation, that issue was addressed many years ago and was known to Rutgers. I am sorry for the confusion I created by misspeaking about the existence of a video tape,” Hermann said. “It was recorded nearly 20 years ago and I simply did not recall the video tape until I saw it in media reports.”

She called the matter “heartbreaking.”

“Throughout my career, I have worked with an unwavering commitment to the interests of student athletes. I have worked to demonstrate that women deserve places of leadership in university athletics and to ensure that student athletes are treated with the respect and dignity,” Hermann said. “That is what makes the allegations made by some of my former student athletes at the University of Tennessee so heartbreaking.

“Over the years, I have tried to learn from each mistake, including the lessons I learned as a young coach.  I have become a stronger leader, administrator, and educator as a result.  If you look at my 25-year career in athletics, I believe the record shows I am a steadfast advocate for student athletes. I intend to take that passion and hard-earned experience into my leadership role as Athletic Director of Rutgers University.”

Rutgers will play one more season in what will be known as the American Athletic Conference as of July 1, 2013 before joining the Big 10 on July 1, 2014.