Chelsey Lucas, the Grambling State University volleyball coach
who made waves earlier this year when not long into her tenure she allegedly cut
the scholarships of her entire team, has been fired by the school, Grambling
announced Tuesday.
The Southwestern Athletic Conference school said a national
search for a new coach begins this week.
The
News Star reported in April that not long after Lucas had become head coach,
players said she met with them and informed many of them that their scholarships
would not be renewed. Reports were that
she cut the entire team, but Athletic Director Trayvean Scott later said
she kept “four or five players.” In
April, Scott said in a
statement that he backed her decision, pointing to the transfer portal.
In May, Grambling announced that the law office of Lewis,
Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith LLP would conduct an independent review of allegations
involving the volleyball program.
According to a story
on the Grambling athletic site Tuesday, Lucas, who was hired in February,
was let go after “the due determination of an internal investigation within the
volleyball program.”
“The success of student-athletes and their ability to
matriculate at Grambling State University is the top priority,” said Grambling
Athletic Director Trayvean Scott in the announcement made by Scott and Grambling
President Rick Gallot. “As we more forward
in this transition and commence a national search for the next coach, all
volleyball student-athletes who received scholarships for the 2022-23 academic
year will keep their scholarships and remain on the team. Walk-ons will also continue to hold their roster
spot.”
“It is the responsibility of this institution to make sure
that student-athletes are afforded opportunities in a manner compliant with all
regulatory organizations,” said Gallot. “That applies to athletics as much as
it does to academics.”
