New Rutgers Athletic Director Denies Allegations Of Past Abuse
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - The new Rutgers University athletic director faced tough questioning during her introduction speech after some past accusations of abuse have arisen.
In 1997, the University of Tennessee woman's volleyball team wrote a letter detailing alleged name calling, embarrassment, humiliation and physical abuse by then coach Julie Hermann.
Craig Wolff broke the story for the Newark Star-Ledger and joined Jody McDonald on Sunday to discuss the situation at Rutgers.
Craig Wolff
According to the letter, former players claim Hermann called them alcoholics, overweight and even whores.
Players claim that letter forced Hermann to abruptly quit.
New Rutgers Athletic Director Denies Allegations Of Past Abuse
There was also a $150,000 settlement won by a former assistant coach who claimed she was discouraged from getting pregnant based on alleged comments Hermann made on the woman's wedding video.
Reporters questioned Hermann at her introduction.
"There's a video? I'm sorry, did you say there's a video?" Hermann said.
"They referred to a video, a wedding video, in which you may have said that," a reporter remarked.
"There's no video, trust me," Hermann said with a chuckle.
"It was litigated. While I do not agree with the outcome, that's already been litigated and there's really nothing else to comment on," Hermann added.
New Rutgers Athletic Director Denies Allegations Of Past Abuse
The Star-Ledger has posted the wedding video and the letter from 1997. Hermann denies all allegations.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie plans to speak with Rutgers officials about the report about Hermann's alleged former abuse.
Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak says the governor is aware of the report about Hermann, but wants to get more details before commenting.
New Rutgers Athletic Director Denies Allegations Of Past Abuse
"It's time for the president to resign. This has become Comedy Central headquarters. It's embarrassing. Rutgers is a great institution, a great college, great students, great alumni and it shouldn't have this kind of a publicity go on and on in the athletic department," state Sen. Richard Codey told WCBS 880 on Sunday. "She [Hartmann] needs to resign as well."
Some New Jerseyans said they can't believe Rutgers is facing another potential scandal.
"Well, there's background checks for a reason, isn't there?" one man told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck. "Well, if they knew about it ahead of time, shame on them."
"Another egg on their face. Sounds like the president's going to be gone this time, can't weather this storm," another man told Schuck.
Rutgers has released a statement saying it has looked at the totality of her record and looks forward to her continued success.
Hermann was tapped for AD after a scandal surrounding the Rutgers men's basketball head coach led to several firings.
Mike Rice was fired after videos showed him berating and shoving players. That video led to Tim Pernetti's firing as athletic director.
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