Syracuse making changes amid women's basketball investigation

Syracuse University confirmed two more athletic administrators are no longer employed by the school amid a widespread scandal with its women’s basketball program.

The university is continuing an investigation into the culture of its athletic department The change comes on the heels of accusations of bullying and inappropriate behavior against former women’s basketball head coach Quentin Hillsman.

A Syracuse spokesperson confirmed that Kimberly Keenan-Kirkpatrick, the Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator, and Cedric Solice, Director of Program Management and Development, were no longer employed by the school.

Although Keenan-Kilpatrick and Solice are no longer with the school, Syracuse Senior Associate Vice President for Communications Sarah Scalese declined to say whether they were fired, resigned or had their contracts expire. She cited university policy for not clarifying.

Originally, an investigation began after an article by The Athletic cited complaints by a large number of former players and managers, most of them anonymous.

A school-sponsored investigation into the behavior of Hillsman, the culture of the women’s basketball program and its oversight followed.

Despite Syracuse having 12 players transfer after last season and experiencing one of the highest transfer rates in the country over the past three years, athletic director John Wildhack defended the program just two weeks prior to the accusations becoming public. He stood up for the program’s values and standards.

Statements from Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack

Earlier this week, Wildhack released a statement following Hillsman’s resignation. 

“The University has accepted Coach Quentin Hillsman’s resignation. Coach Hillsman and I agreed that parting ways is in the best interest of the University, the program and our student-athletes. We wish him and his family all the best. Interim leadership for the Women’s Basketball Program will be announced in the coming days,” Wildhack said, via Cuse.com.

“As previously announced, the University retained an external law firm to conduct a review of the program. That review is ongoing, and the Department of Athletics will address issues that are identified at the conclusion of the review,” Wildhack added.

“We remain focused on providing the best experience possible. One that prioritizes the well-being of all student-athletes and positions them for success in competition, in the classroom, in their communities and in life beyond Syracuse University,” Wildhack said.

Now, the departures of Keenan-Kilpatrick and Solice continue the changes.

Vonn Read named acting head coach for Syracuse

Also today, Syracuse announced that Vonn Read would become the acting head coach for their women’s basketball team.

Read has been with Syracuse since the 2011-12 season. Since 2013, he’s been the team’s associate head coach. Wildhack believes in Read’s ability to lead their women’s basketball program. 

“I am grateful to Vonn for stepping up to lead,” Wildhack said in a statement released by the school. “With Vonn’s vast experience developing student-athletes, I am confident in his ability to guide the women’s basketball program.”

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