Softball Coach Resigns

Likely getting an assistant job paying more than the Holy Cross head gig. 

If they really plan to make an investment in an authentic softball facility, this is the time to step up and find a better coach - Jen had her crack at improving the program and simply didn’t get it done - our .202 team batting average (281st in the country) last season was embarrassing

Are all the players coming back? They can transfer freely for this upcoming season so could they lose Nelson to another program?

I had the pleasure of meeting Jen at the CAF outing in June in RI. Seems odd that she would participate in a fund raising event if she had one foot out the door. She certainly seemed like an enthusiastic young coach, and I wish her well wherever she lands.

Same source shows Bengston is in the portal too.  While entering the portal doesn’t guarantee they’ll transfer, to lose two seniors, and your #1 battery to boot, will make the new coach’s job that much tougher in the near term. 

I swear, rjs, I was going to cite Branch Rickey's famous quote, often mentioned by Ralph Kiner, the recipient, during Mets telecasts.

Kiner had some beauties of his own; e.g. (on Mothers' Day):   "For all you Mothers out there, Happy Birthday!"

You would need to replace the 20 female opportunities with something else. According to the latest EADA data, Holy Cross had 358 male student athletes and 362 females. Dropping 18 of those females would put the numbers at below 50 percent for a school that has a general population of 53 percent female. 

I would think that it would...but whether or not HC has softball is not a concern for me (unless they start to have more success than they have for the last several decades).

RESOLUTION AGREEMENT
COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT NO. 01-11-2050

www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/investigations/more/01112050-b.pdf

Immediate Improvements to Women’s Softball Team- Pending Completion of College’s Athletic Program Review and Improvements

Pending the results of the College’s Equity Report and subsequent Action Plan, beyond any improvements to the softball program made in accordance with Section I. A. 2, above, the College will make the following improvements to the softball program and facilities with regard to: (i) opportunity to receive coaching (permanent, part-time, or otherwise); (ii) assignment and compensation of coaches; and (iii) use,

Page 4-Resolution Agreement, College of the Holy Cross, OCR Complaint No. 01-11-2050
availability, quality, maintenance, and condition of athletics facilities, including locker rooms and practice and competitive areas, consistent with the regulation at 34 C.F.R. Sections 106.41(c)(5), (6) and (7); Sections (B)(3)(d), (e) and (f) of the Policy Interpretation; and items I.A.1(d), (e) and (f), above:

1. Install a structure at the softball facility that will provide a space for each player to store jackets, warm-ups, gym bags, and other apparel and equipment items while she is performing at the facility;

2. Install the necessary pipes and irrigation equipment to allow for the frequent watering and maintenance of the softball field;

3. Install chain-link protective fencing in front of each dugout to enhance safety for student athletes viewing the softball games;

4. Acquire and install a new sound system at the softball facility to broadcast games and also play music in order to increase spectator and student athlete engagement with the games;

5. Replace the crushed stone dust surface of the infield and bullpen with a composite mixture of materials often used in other softball facilities in order to create a higher quality playing service that is less abrasive;

6. Add an artificial turf surface to the existing batting cage to ensure student safety and improve the quality of skill development during practices;

7. Construct an additional batting cage that also includes the composite surface mentioned in 3.e., above. This cage will be located in the immediate vicinity of the softball field in order to be conveniently located for students during practices;

8. Continue to address maintenance issues such as repairing or replacing parts of the backstop and the woodwork and roof of the dugouts, as necessary;

9. Hire a second 0.5 FTE part-time assistant coach for the softball team; and compensate the second part-time coach at least the same salary as the College compensated the first part-time assistant coach during the 2012- 2013 season; the College will to the extent reasonably possible ensure that all coaching positions remain filled during the entire season;

10. Annually increase the softball team’s head coach’s salary by at least twice the percentage rate given to other employees until such time as it substantially narrows the salary gap between the College and other institutions in the Patriot League for the softball head coaching position to within 25% of the median. The College agrees to this improvement as aninterim step, in addition to any other improvements ultimately necessary to ensure comparable assignment and compensation of coaching for male and female student-athletes. .

 By July 1, 2015, the College will provide documentation of having completed the improvements set out in Section B. (1) – (9), above.
 In its final report to OCR documenting all of the improvements completed under section I. A. above, the College will include documentation of any/all actions taken under Section B. (10), above.

II. MONITORING
The College understands that OCR will not close the monitoring of this Resolution Agreement until OCR determines that the recipient has fulfilled the terms of this agreement and is in compliance with the regulation implementing Title IX at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which was at issue in this case.
The College also understands that by signing this Resolution Agreement, it agrees to provide data and other information in a timely manner in accordance with the reporting requirements of this agreement. Further, the College understands that during the monitoring of this Resolution Agreement, if necessary, OCR may visit the College, interview staff and students, and request such additional reports or data as are necessary for OCR to determine whether the district has fulfilled the terms of this agreement and is in compliance with the regulation implementing Title IX at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which was at issue in this case.

The College understands and acknowledges that OCR may initiate administrative enforcement or judicial proceedings to enforce the specific terms and obligations of this Agreement. Before initiating administrative enforcement (34 C.F.R. §§ 100.9, 100.10), or judicial proceedings to enforce this Agreement, OCR shall give the College written notice of the alleged breach and a minimum of sixty (60) calendar days to cure the alleged breach.
___/s/__Phillip L. Boroughs, S.J. ____ __10-28-14___ Rev. Phillip L. Boroughs, S.J., President Date
College of the Holy Cross

The date on that document is Oct 28, 2014 - 'immediate' improvements' ? ! - has anyone seen anything done so far ? if so, I didn't notice and our team stinks every year - since we've done little or nothing that has substantially improved the program in these 6 plus years, let's take all of those dollars and keep them in the women's athletic program where there can be some tangible results.

It's not just dollars, it's participants I believe. I hope they don't drop a sport like Softball that I can understand and enjoy without studying a YouTube instructional video.