The Associated Press reported about an abusive culture in the Oregon State volleyball program that led to similar stories emerging from Australia, the coach’s home country. This revelation prompted Australian officials to apologize to athletes who had been part of his program. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation shared the accounts of players who resonated with the AP reporting, with one player even likening it to their own experiences.
The allegations against former Oregon State coach, Mark Barnard, included claims of fostering a toxic and abusive environment, pitting players against each other, and pushing them beyond their limits during training. These allegations mirrored the experiences of Australian players who had trained under Barnard, describing a culture of fear, emotional abuse, and inadequate support.
The outpouring of stories from former players prompted a review by Sports Integrity Australia, which found that the program from 1997-2005 had indeed fostered a culture of fear and punishment. It took two years for Volleyball Australia to issue a public apology to the players who had suffered in this environment. The apology acknowledged the pain and trauma that the former players had endured.
The Oregon State players who spoke out against the abusive practices during Barnard’s tenure felt unheard and neglected by the university. Some even contemplated suicide as a result of the mistreatment they faced. Despite the internal investigation conducted by the university, the players felt that their complaints were not taken seriously.
Barnard, who had a tumultuous coaching career at Oregon State, left the program in 2022 without any public acknowledgment of the abuse allegations. While he did not respond to requests for comment on the reports, his former colleague, Brad Saindon, denied the allegations of abuse during his coaching career.
The legal battle between Oregon State and the AP over the disclosure of documents related to Barnard’s case shed light on the university’s reluctance to address allegations of wrongdoing. The university’s efforts to suppress the release of these documents were eventually resolved when Oregon State agreed to pay the AP’s legal fees in exchange for dropping the request.
The stories of abuse and mistreatment within the Oregon State volleyball program serve as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in collegiate athletics. The impact of toxic coaching practices can have long-lasting effects on the mental and physical well-being of athletes, highlighting the need for proper oversight and support systems within sports programs.
