photo courtesy of ragincajuns.com
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has fired its softball coach, Michael Lotief.
Lotief has been on administrative leave since Oct. 6. In announcing his termination, the university claims Lotief used “violent, vulgar language and verbal and physical assault” in dealing with players and co-workers.
According to our partners at News 15
UL Athletic Director Bryan Maggard’s office referred calls for comment to the university’s communication office. A spokesman with the communication office replied that Lotief’s firing is a personnel matter, and the university does not comment on personnel issues.
The press release came less than an hour after softball boosters released a letter sent to the university last week supporting Lotief. Players released a letter Monday claiming Ragin’ Cajun Athletics was trying to “destroy” their program.
“We believe our coach is being targeted and retaliated against for standing up for us as FEMALE ATHLETES,” according to the letter, “and we are asking that we be treated the same as the men’s teams.”
After Lotief was placed on leave his attorney, John McElligott released a statement saying “this action arises out of a passionate conversation about gender equity, between Coach Lotief and other university personnel. In this conversation, Coach Lotief raised simple issues like getting the grass cut, making sure students have an athletic trainer at practice, making sure the assistant coaches get paid, and ensuring female athletes get a functional assessment before doing weight training.”
McElligott has scheduled a press conference at his office at 4:30 p.m. to comment on the firing.
