Duke University has launched an internal investigation into the alleged mistreatment of players and coaches within the women’s basketball program.
The Blue Devils, who compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have been a perennial top-10 program, are coached by former University of Maine coach Joanne P. McCallie.
Swish Appeal broke the story on Tuesday, saying Duke had initiated the probe after the recently announced departures of two players, Azura Stevens and Angela Salvadores.
Duke released the following statement upon publication of the information:
“The welfare and success of our student-athletes are among Duke’s highest priorities. To that end, we are in the process of conducting an evaluation of the Duke women’s basketball program. This effort is led by a Duke human resources professional outside the Athletics Department. Coach McCallie is aware of the evaluation and eager to assist. We look forward to hearing the insights of those involved in the program and any recommendations that may result from this evaluation.”
Swish Appeal reported that Duke officials already have interviewed players on this year’s roster and that they intend to contact former players and former staff members as part of the inquiry.
During McCallie’s time at Duke, numerous players and coaches have left the women’s basketball program as the result of mistreatment by the head coach, according to unnamed sources cited by Swish Appeal.
Duke on April 1 announced that Stevens, who is the team’s top scorer and rebounder, is planning to transfer. Salvadores, a freshman point guard, has decided to leave Duke to pursue a professional playing career in Europe.
Several players have left Duke prematurely in recent years. The list includes Sierra Moore after the 2012-2013 season and Alexis Jones (2013-2014), along with Kianna Holland and Sierra Calhoun, each of whom lasted only one semester before transferring.
All headed to high-profile programs including Penn State, Baylor and Ohio State.
McCallie recently completed her ninth season at Duke, where her teams have compiled a 245-65 record (.790) with six Sweet 16 appearances and four Elite Eight bids.
The Blue Devils failed to reach the NCAA tournament this season when they went 20-12 and lost six of their last 10 games, including an ACC quarterfinal.
McCallie coached at UMaine from 1992 to 2000, directing the Black Bears to a 167-73 record and six consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament. That included the program’s only NCAA win, a first-round victory over Stanford in 1999.
Including a seven-year stint at Michigan State from 2000 to 2007, McCallie owns a career coaching mark of 561-213.
She was the Associated Press National Coach of the Year in 2005 and the ACC’s top coach in 2010, 2012 and 2013. McCallie also won America East (1999) and North Atlantic Conference (1995, 1996) coaching honors.
McCallie was born in California, then moved to Maine where she was a two-time Parade All-American at Brunswick High School. She played her college ball at Northwestern.
She has been inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame and the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame.