Ryan Jerz :: Reno Blogger, Reno Blog

Fun, conversations, and occasional journalism from Reno, Nevada
Also, a small-town hick just looking for his five minutes


Misc: Letter from former UNR soccer coach Terri Patraw to supporters of Nevada Athletics

I received this email on March 13, after a few exchanges with Terri Patraw over something I wrote on February 14. A few weeks after that piece was published, Patraw sent me a message asking for it to be removed. I responded with this:

Terri,

I’m sorry that you are going through everything that you are going through. I will not be taking down what I wrote. However, if you would like something to be said, I would be happy to offer up my site as a forum for what you would like said. You can email me something and I will post it so that your name is also attached with what you would like said.

After a little back and forth, including a phone conversation lasting over an hour, she decided to take me up on my offer. Here is what she asked me to publish:

Dear Nevada Supporters:

I wanted to touch base with you regarding my lawsuit and the fallout it has created for the Nevada athletic department. Since the media can only tell a small and sometimes distorted version I felt compelled to speak to you directly. I want you to know that I have done everything possible to handle this in the best interest of the university. I did not choose to file this lawsuit; rather I was forced too as a result of the actions by the leadership at the university.

As you know, on August 28, 2007, the Athletic Director terminated my employment at UNR shortly after I reported illegal activity in the Nevada Athletic Department. On October 16, 2007, I met with President Glick to inform him of numerous examples of NCAA violations and unethical conduct in the Athletic Department under his leadership. I was hoping that his knowledge of these violations would help him to take corrective actions that include, and are not limited to, reinstating me and addressing the violations responsibly to maintain integrity and to protect the reputation of UNR and NSHE. President Glick declined to handle the violations internally so I was obligated to report these allegations to the NCAA. My future employment in the NCAA is dependant on it.

I have tremendous respect for the support you all provide to Nevada athletics. However, I could not ignore what was going on inside the athletic department. I was a loyal and highly successful employee that built a championship soccer program for the University of Nevada. I did so with the highest degree of integrity while earning exceptional annual evaluations from my student-athletes, support staff, and administrators. My miscalculation was expecting the Athletic Director to lead a department with the same morals and values. It is disturbingly poetic that the most successful, ethical coach in the department was dismissed from the university and banned from the campus while the violators are still on university payroll.

As I endure the university’s defense by defamation strategy, along with the subsequent retaliation in banning me from the public campus, I regrettably assure you my determination has never been stronger. I hope we share the same moral compass under which a Division I athletic department should be lead. The university has publicly stated that I was involved in an ‘incident’ on campus. However, I have not been involved in nor have I been informed what this phantom incident is. It is little wonder that the university has numerous retaliation lawsuits levied against it by current and former employees.

Public officials are appointed to serve the public, not exploit their positions to cover-up wronging. President Glick has traded the honor of serving the citizens of the State of Nevada for his interest in supporting the punishment of reporters of illegal activity on the UNR campus. The President does not have the authority to direct the campus police to arrest people who have not committed crimes on campus. The threat of police action sounds like UNR is a police state, not an institution of higher learning. Is this the standard of leadership that this community condones?

While my recent whistleblower hearing resulted in an astonishing decision I assure you that I have 100% confidence in the facts and documents. When the hearing officer interrupted my testimony in mid-sentence to talk about a Nevada men’s basketball game I learned that justice is not always objective. When the hearing officer listed false testimony in his written decision I learned that justice is not always honest. When the hearing officer applied a burden of proof that does not exist in the Nevada Statute I learned that justice is not always educated. I look forward to an appeal to a higher authority.

I apologize for any damage this lawsuit may cause to the university. It is not what I want. However, I have built a career through hard work and integrity and I will not allow it to be stolen from me. Anyone who attended my hearing witnessed an embarrassing display of shameful perjury from the athletic department leadership. I hope you share my belief that we should demand higher ethical standards at an institution of higher learning. Certainly the student-athletes deserve positive and ethical role-models.

Thank you for respecting and understanding my right to fight for justice. And, thank you to so many of you who have offered your support. I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

Terri Patraw

As is always the case here, this entry is just the beginning of the conversation. If you would like to discuss this further, please leave a comment or visit my Contact page to get to me directly.


tags: lawsuit, nevada, reno, soccer coach, terri patraw, unr, wolf pack
posted by Ryan Jerz on 03/19/2008

Comments

Innocent Bystander, Mar 20, 08:13 PM #:

GIVEN MS. PATRAW’S LITIGIOUS HISTORY AND NATURE, PLEASE BE FOREWARNED THAT THE FOLLOWING COMMENT IS THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR ONLY. THIS OPINION IS EXPRESSED AS TO A PUBLIC FIGURE, SUBJECT TO IMMUNE PUBLIC COMMENT. NOTHING IN THIS COMMENT SHOULD BE INTERPRETED AS AN ALLEGATION OF FACT. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CAN’T SUE ME, MS. PATRAW. I AM A FAN AND ALUMNI OF THE UNIVERSITY AND AM LEGALLY ENTITLED TO EXPRESS MY VIEWS ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT MY BELOVED ALMA MATER.

This incident is as unfortunate as it is bizarre. As a University of Nevada Supporter, Alumni and Fan, I am left half-head scratching and half-belly laughing after reading that letter. Notably, a few of Ms. Patraw’s statements raise some serious questions for me regarding her credibility/stability:

1) Ms. Patraw says: “The university has publicly stated that I was involved in an ‘incident’ on campus. However, I have not been involved in nor have I been informed what this phantom incident is.”

Really??? I seem to recall reading meadia reports of a few matters I would certainly classify as an incident. For example, didn’t I read about Ms. Patraw (allegedly) sending R-rated pictures of herself to a former men’s assistant basketball coach via a University paid cellphone? I thought that came out as part of the University’s case in the administrative proceedings, as the U now has the cell phone which includes “sent” photo of Mr. Patraw’s hind-quarters. I thought that I also read that the same assistant basketball coach: (1) reported Ms. Patraw as allegedly “stalking” him; and (2) left the state (and his job) to (allegedly) get away from her (despite’s Ms Patraw’s bizarre attempt to make an anonimous $25k dontation to the U – to be fully paid to the coach if he stayed here in Reno. Didn’t I also read that, on more than one ocassion, Ms. Patraw submitted her resignation (out of anger) only to withdraw her resignation after cooling down?

Fearing retalliation, I just did a quick GOOGLE search to make sure I haven’t “caught the crazies” mysel. Alas, I see I was correct. As reported in the Nevada Sagebrush:

“UNR lawyer Charles Hilsabeck brought up examples of Patraw’s behavior issues.

UNR had evidence that Patraw sent a picture of her buttocks to former assistant men’s basketball coach Dedrique Taylor on a university phone. Patraw was wearing a thong in the picture. The picture was provided by Taylor.

Taylor asked police to tell Patraw to stop contacting him after he left for Arizona State because he said Patraw was stalking him. Taylor later apologized for the disruption and took back his accusations.

During his transition to ASU, Groth said that Mark Fox received an email from an anonymous account saying $25,000 would be donated to Taylor if he stayed.

UNR information technicians said they were 99 percent sure the e-mail was sent by Patraw’s university account.” SEE: http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2008/02/05/patraw-states-her-case-thursday/

2) Next, Ms. Patraw says: “It is disturbingly poetic that the most successful, ethical coach in the department was dismissed from the university and banned from the campus while the violators are still on university payroll.”

This is point in the letter where I start to hear Fred Norris (of Howard Stern fame) start hitting the coo-coo bird sound effects. Ms. Patraw claims to be the (1) most successful coach at the U; and (2) the most ethical coach at the U.

As for being the most successful coach at the U, I think the sucess of a college coach can be measured several ways, most notably wins, butts in the seats and program revenue. How in the world can Ms. Patraw seriously claim she was the most successful at any of these areas (particularly considering the post-season runs of the Men’s basketball team and the 3-straight Bowl appearances of the Football team)? Delusions of grandeur!!!

As to Ms. Patraw’s ethics, I need say no more than referring to the story of her g-string picutres (using a University Cell Phone – i.e. taxpayer subsidized cell phone) to a married basketball coach; attempt to bribe Taylor to stay at the U for $25k;

Jose, Mar 23, 02:55 AM #:

Well innocent bystander you just made a fool of yourself. Apparently you believe everything you read. Ms Patraw has a right to exercise her judicial process.

Maybe you should have included that Mr. Taylor apologized and retracted his statements. The university forgot to mention that. He paid her too from what it sounds like. Maybe you should also learn the photo was not true. Employees are allowed to use their cell phones for personal use though so it would not matter. Oh and that was 1.5 years before she was fired so what is the connection other then an effort to smear her fool!

Maybe you should also learn that SHE WAS CLEARED OF THE EMAIL. The university threw it in to muddle the picture for juvenile spectators like you. You are a fool if you think the newspaper reported everything. She was used to cover up the dirty men’s basketball program. Maybe we should talk about the fact that Mr. Taylor is not married oh so credible one. Maybe you should talk about the sexual harassment against Coach Fox or the witness bribery by his wife. Did you hear that Fox’s wife made a scene on campus harassing a witness that ‘knew too much.’ What is she afraid of?

Mr. Taylor cheated on NCAA rules and on his girlfriend. He is one winner of credibility. You should see the doozy of emails on Coach Fox and Coach Taylor’s improprieties.

She was ban from campus in the winter. What was the incident? Nothing you mentioned has any validity or timeliness to her ban fool.

Did you miss the fact that they offered her a $10,000 raise a week before they fired her? She turned down the moola. She did not resign. That is another university LIE! Get it fool?

Learn a thing about lawsuits juveniile one. The defendant is making things up to slander her. You bought it fool. Taylor is the cheat. Patraw did not write the email and she proved it. The IT director killed Groth at the hearing regarding the email. It was classic! Go to the hearing next time and listen to the fools that the athletic department officials made of themselves. Yeah, Patraw got COMMENDABLE EVALUATIONS every year. The highest you can get. Groth lied on like Pinochio baby. She is scum! Criminal perjury charges are on the way! NCAA INVESTIGATION LOSER!

DID YOU HEAR THE BIG NEWS? THE HEARING OFFICER JUST GOT FIRED FOR HIS CONDUCT AND ILLEGAL RULING IN HER HEARING! THIS IS A TRUE STORY!

s thomas, Mar 23, 03:08 AM #:

I just heard the same thing. Hearing officer canned over corrupt soccer hearing. Good for the coach. She better get a re-trial.

She is good as gold. Innocent Byman your agenda is a given. Patraw is a person of tremendous integrity. It is interesting that your entire blabbering smear campaign makes not a single mention of the illegal activity in the athletic department, Glick ignoring it, the NCAA investigation or her exceptional evaluations. You only get exceptional evaluations if you are thought of highly. Jealousy is not a flattering trait. Go back and try to make something of your life. Patraw is adding up dollar signs based on the university’s defamation. They are going to get it handed to them in court.

Jose, Mar 23, 03:40 AM #:

You are correct s thomas. Any time an employer has to delve into someone’s personal life it shows they do not have a defense. Patraw was entitled to date whoever she wanted as long as it was not a subordinate. A basketball coach is not her subordinate. So this is desperation by the university. It actually tells any employment lawyer that her case is very very solid if this is the best tactic the defense has. It will anty up the jury award for her substantially.

Patraw should turn the tide and use this to her advantage. Groth’s girlfriend is her former tennis coach from Northern Illinois. Groth dated her subordinate. It is part of the reason Groth’s contract was not going to be renewed and why she had to leave there. I think the jury will prefer a heterosexual coach having a normal personal life over an athletics director dating her subordinate on the sly (or so she thought).

s thomas, Mar 23, 03:25 PM #:

Mr. Taylor is being used as nothing more than a smear campaign to cloud the issues by the university. University cell phones are also the employees personal phones. She did nothing wrong. Mr. Taylor made false accusations and recanted them. End of story. Groth covered up violations in the men’s basketball program. She threatened Patraw if she talked. This evidence was at the hearing. The sexual harassment issue has nothing to do with Taylor. He is being used by the university to cover up for the real culprit. Innocent bystander your bias is telling and you are pulling your information out of a smear campaign and ignoring the facts. UNR is under investigation by the Ncaa. That should be rather telling. The question that needs to be answered is what happened in between the final contract offer and the termination. The answer is she reported violations. That is what the whistleblower law stands for. You cannot go back 1.5 years ago to pull up a reason for firing her when you have give her the best possible evaluations every year and raises. Please get some clarity before you spout off. Did you catch the line about perjury from athletic officials? That will be key as this moves ahead. I remind you again that employees pay for part of their cell phones so it is not a tax payer phone. Mr. Taylor is not married either. Besides, if he was it would be his problem not hers.

Football teams making bowl games mean they are in the top 50% of the teams in the country. That is not very impressive. Fox inherited Johnson’s empire and has not moved it forward. Key phrase though is ethical. The Ncaa interviewed basketball players according to the sagebrush. Patraw took a next to nothing program and turned it into a championship team. To make the Ncaa’s in soccer means you are in the top 20% of the teams in the country. Care to argue this. Her program is also not under investigation so I think her statement is very accurate. You are ignoring the facts young lad to fit your agenda. In the process you are trying to ruin the reputation of someone with more integrity than you can dream of. As a supporter of the UNR shouldn’t you hope her efforts clean up any underhanded issues. Why are you not concerned that Mr. Glick ignored her claims. That is the scariest information of all.

Ryan Jerz, Mar 23, 03:47 PM #:

s thomas,

You stated twice (at least) now that there were violations in the basketball program. Ms. Patraw is under a non-disclosure agreement with the NCAA, so she’s unable to talk about them. I assume that you were not interviewed by the NCAA so you should be able to spill what those violations are. Let’s hear it.

s thomas, Mar 23, 04:07 PM #:

I only stated it once but that is beside the fact. It was in the Sagebrush in an article on the investigation that they interviewed hoops players. Also the hearing was open at UNR. I was at most of it. Don’t know specifics. Just the topic of violations.

Ryan Jerz, Mar 23, 04:13 PM #:

I apologize. You did only state it once. Your roommate Jose said it the other time:

“Mr. Taylor cheated on NCAA rules and on his girlfriend.”

Maybe you could ask him about the specifics, as he seems to know more. Let the truth out and stop playing games. If you know of violations, let’s hear them. Otherwise, what can be gained from this barrage of comments on here?

s thomas, Mar 23, 04:28 PM #:

My comments are in reaction to the lie filled rant by the innocent bystander. I will defend her with the truth. I respect her and her job performance. If he sees that his comments were strictly about her personal life he would see why UNRs case is so weak. This stuff will not get into a court room. It is an employment case.

Jim_S, Mar 23, 07:03 PM #:

I think having four pseudonyms would make this comment string even more entertaining — How about it Jose/SThomas/TPatraw?

josie_lentox, Mar 24, 07:43 PM #:

I also am stating that everything I am expressing underneath is my own opinion. This is just my thoughts and observations.

Firstly, all coaches sign a document every June/July stating that they have disclosed all violations they know about in their ath. dept. If she signed that and waited until later to disclose them, she could be fired for that alone. It sounds like she kept them in her back pocket for when she needed them.

Secondly, to think that the AD would fire her for reporting on the golf coach is laughable. Why would Terri get fired for telling?

Thirdly, there was a lot of controversy when Terri left ASU. (I know I know, she “resigned” to go get more education) but there was a lot more talk than that.

Fourthly, I think it is slim shady for Terri to be posting on all these message boards…the Reno athletics one, the soccer one, every article written about this case. It makes her/you look bad.

Lastly, I think she was a headache in the dept and they got tired of dealing with her. For those of you ardent Patraw supporters, what if that is true? Can you admit that possibility MIGHT exist?

Oh, one more thing. Stop with the “most successful coach” bit. She had ONE winning season at Reno (still her career record is losing) and only got to the NCAA’s by winning the title game in the conference trny on pk’s..it’s not like she reinvented soccer. (And it’s a BAD conference)

Ryan, what is your take on all this? Since you have had contact with her and seem knowledgeable about what is happening, what is your opinion?

s thomas, Mar 24, 10:23 PM #:

I am certainly not her. I only wish I could write as articulately as she did in that letter. She had two winning seasons out of three. She took them from last place to first place in two years She inherited a pile of dung. She is a program builder. She has never inherited a good squad at either school. She builds them so she would automatically take a hit on her record, junior. She beat top pac ten teams. What UNR coach does that? Facts. The team tanked after she left. She left ASU on her own terms. Her closest professional colleagues are her former bosses at ASU. She was offered a contract extension and a raise 1 week before she was terminated. Maybe you have not heard that the golf coach was great friends with the athletic director. Does that change your mind about why the athletics director would be mad. Is it not intriguing that the cheating golf coach is still employed. She reported the violations immediately. She did not hold onto them. You people post slander about her that is so untrue. You just throw your credibility out over and over. Check your facts before you throw garbage against the wall. If they were tired of her why did they offer her a contract extension and 10,000 raise right before they fired her. You see what happened in between the offer and firing is that she turned in a bunch of improprieties on the athletic department. It included sex harass on the basketball coach. Don’t you think that would anger the wifey? Her supervisor! This has retaliation written all over it. Wait until the truth comes out. Terri has so many supporters inside and outside the athletics department. The errors in the posts of those of you who slander her lose all credibility. Do some factual research before you post. I think the facts are obvious that she was UNR’s best coach. Did I mention she did not just win the conference? She beat up on top pac ten teams. Name one UNR coach who did that 2 years after inheriting an intramural level program. Name one coach who signed the top recruiting class every year. You think it is Terri always posting. Maybe you are stalking her. Terri has a lot more important things to do than chase down your lies. Maybe you are the assistant coaches who the players ran out of town. Was it your wife who gave lap dances to the football team, coach? Or were you the one who allowed the team to get trashed on the road this year, other coach? Either way the players did not want you back and expressed that to the athletics director. The team was crushed when Terri left. That was evident in the teams performance under you. You could not lift the teams spirit because they cared about her. Go play in the road now. How did the team finish without her? 6th place after being picked to win it. Looks like she knows something. How many recruits bailed after she left? Many. Is the athletics department under investigation now? Yes. Is the hearing officer getting canned because of his corrupt actions? Yes. Sounds like Terri has some facts that are pretty compelling. Why are you ingoring the men’s basketball violations? You think wife Fox would not have reason to retaliate on that? You think there are no nepotism issues in that place? Why are you ignoring the perjury comments in her note. Why are you ignoring the President ignoring the violations. That is quite a statement to say if she could not back it. Your what if’s are wishful thinking. Wait for this story to unfold. Hold onto your shorts. Your admiration, err jealousy is comical. I am a fan of hers but I also report accurate facts. Touch base with her if you want information. It will blow your mind away.

She's nuts, Mar 24, 11:58 PM #:

s thomas, why not stop your smear campaign against everyone who has ever been in the athletic dept. and give out some real facts. You really need to reread your earlier posts to see how idiotic you and your Patraw gang come across. You do it on every forum your group pollutes. Then you change your names and do it again. I noticed there hasn’t been much of your propaganda on WPC since she got her ass handed to her in the whistleblower case. BTW, how long did she wait to file the sexual harassment charge against Fox? I’m also curious why the volleyball coach’s testimony was the same as that of Cindy Fox. Was she lying or intimidated? And no, you do not report accurate facts. You deliver half-truths and rely on smear tactics to make your saintly ex-coach look better. It’s not working.

Ryan Jerz, Mar 25, 12:34 AM #:

s thomas, there are an awful lot of claims that you’re throwing down. One that I really would like to know about is Kockenmeister. When might we officially hear about him losing his job? If what you’re saying about him losing his job is not true, would you then have slandered him? I ask because slander is a topic that has come up recently with regards to this site. Just want to get your take on what the rules are.

He may be a public figure (debatable), but I don’t think there’s any doubt that what you are saying is malicious.

nevadagirl, Mar 25, 02:23 AM #:

S. Thomas, I’m not taking sides but honestly, I can think of a great UNR coach who did wonders for the athletic department and his name was not Patraw. He was the women’s Track coach leading the women’s indoor track and field team to two WAC Championships. Before putting one at the top of the pedestal as the best, remember there are many coaches that are program builders that love what they do.

josie_lentox, Mar 25, 04:53 AM #:

Wow..

She beat up on top pac 10 teams? IIRC, she beat an average WSU team and a below average Oregon teams (neither teams finishing in the top of the conference or advancing to the NCAA’s either year). And which year did she win the conference? The year she won the trny in pk’s or the one where the 6-11 san jose st team beat her in the semi’s? And the best recruiting class in the WAC is really a feather in someone’s cap!

I am not saying she isn’t a decent coach, but to make her out as this savior to soccer is a bit much and as the top coach in the dept. Didnt the Reno basketball team make a trny run a few years ago? Wasn’t swimming winning WAC titles too?

I still don’t buy that she would be fired for turning people in. Sorry.
In her own letter she says she went to the NCAA only after president glick did nothing….as a coach she would’ve had to report those violations in JUNE when she signs her compliance forms saying that she hasn’t seen or participated in any NCAA violations.

Can you answer these three questions?:

1) You keep bringing up men’s basketball violations as the real reason Terri was fired. What were they? Unless you can give some specifics, it sounds like false accusations.

2) And I second the question abot Kockenmeister losing his job. When might that be public? Or do you have a link? And if it isn’t yet public, how do you know he will be fired?

3) When did the sexual harrassment happen and when did she report it?

Ryan, what is your take on all this?

Ryan Jerz, Mar 25, 01:56 PM #:

josie_lentox,

There is a reason #1 is not being answered. See my previous comments.

My opinion is still being totally formed. I have one but every single time s thomas posts it adds to it. Don’t worry, though, it’ll come out. I just want it to be complete first so I’m not adding to it later.

I was pretty fair through this entire ordeal, and it has been an ordeal for me. My opinion will have ramifications, but in learning everything I’ve learned, it’s going to be as fair an opinion as possible.

It should be noted that fair does not equal even.

Innocent Bystander, Mar 25, 05:01 PM #:

Hmmmm… It looks like (yet again) Ms. Patraw’s story is not quite in line with reality. The RGJ is reporting that, based upon an allegation by MS. Patraw, they are investigating whether Mr. Kockenmeister mishandled the hearing. He has not lost his job, or been found to have done anything wrong. See: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/NEWS18/80325013&OAS_sitepage=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews

Ryan Jerz, Mar 26, 03:10 AM #:

Jose said:

Patraw got COMMENDABLE EVALUATIONS every year. The highest you can get.

Um, no. According to UNR’s Human Resources department, all athletic coaches are considered “Administrative Faculty.” Administrative faculty are rated on a scale each year. That scale can be seen here. Commendable is not the highest rating. It is the middle of five possible ratings. It’s like a “C” in school. It’s good (if the grading isn’t inflated), but it isn’t “Excellent” or “Extraordinary.”

Ryan Jerz, Mar 26, 02:20 PM #:

I’m closing comments for this and directing you to a new post on this situation here

Commenting is closed for this article.