As the two-year anniversary of the University of Guelph’s investigation and subsequent firing of disgraced track and field coach Dave Scott-Thomas looms, several female alumni who competed for the school's track and cross country teams believe harmful systems are still in place today.
An open letter to the school by the group states they are “are deeply disappointed in the responses from the University of Guelph thus far.”
Scott-Thomas was fired by the U of G in 2019 for unprofessional conduct after allegations he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a former student athlete.
The letter reads: “We are calling on the University of Guelph to undertake an independent, comprehensive, and transparent investigation to determine how its existing policies failed to protect student-athletes from an abusive environment. It is imperative that this investigation be conducted by an external body and formally look into the complaints and concerns brought to the attention of the University of Guelph administration since 2006. Finally, we ask that this investigation engage both current and former student-athletes along with our restorative justice experts and that its findings and methods be made available to the public.”
In response to the letter, the U of G provided a detailed description of the changes it has implemented over the last several years, including but not limited to, hiring of three new female coaches for its running programs, implementing a 'rule of three' that requires no one-on-one meetings between coaches and athletes and coach education on sexual violence and mental health.
The full 2,500-word letter can be found on the running site iRun.ca.
Those who penned the letter believe the systems that enabled the health and well-being of many athletes to be harmed by individuals in positions of power for over a decade are still in place.
“I think a lot of people in the group feel frustrated that they haven’t really had their say,” said Jenn Dowling-Medley, co-author of the letter. “A lot of what’s been written is people kind of assuming stuff or whatever, or kind of spinning it to suit their needs and we feel we do have something to say and we want people to hear what we say directly.”
Dowling-Medley said it is important for the group to get out their specific wording on the situation.
The groups’ letter says they were hopeful when the investigation took place the issues present within the systems that enabled the environment to persist would be addressed and lead to a positive culture change in athletics programs.
Citing three key issues, the group says they are disappointed the university did not conduct a thorough review or investigation as advocated for by over 200 faculty members and others in the community, The U of G excluded former athletes from participating in the McLaren Global Sports Solution (MGSS) review and the U of G refused to meet with a group of alumni to discuss concerns about the MGSS report.
“Our experiences both as student-athletes and as alumni have led us to feel that the University of Guelph did not take accounts of abuse and maltreatment at their institution seriously and that this pattern of ignorance persists. Based on these experiences, we have little confidence that athletes’ health and well-being are a priority and that meaningful action is being taken to ensure that similar circumstances to those described herein do not repeat themselves,” the letter reads.
“We tried to kind of extend an olive branch and go about this in a non-adversarial way, we didn’t want to sue them, we just wanted to sit down and talk to them and have some input,” said Dowling-Medley. “We feel we have exhausted all of the reasonable options to work towards positive and meaningful change.”
Kelsey Serviss, one of the letter's co-author's, said she experience public humiliation at the hands of the coaching staff, and pressure to train beyond her mental and physical limits, resulting in what she said has lead to her continued coping with depression and anxiety to this day.
She said she strongly believes the severity of her illnesses was triggered by the experience on the team at Guelph.
"The entire experience thus far had left me utterly confused and questioning my own worth," said Serviss.
"The stress I experienced continued to ramp up until winter 2014 when I experienced my first anxiety attack during a workout. My arms went numb, my vision went black, I had chest pains and shortness of breath, but I continued to train through the attacks until a doctor warned that they had concerns for my heart due to a high potential for congenital conditions."
She claims that after she advised Scott-Thomas and that a medical doctor advised her not to run for my own safety, she was let go from the team.
"My anxiety only got worse after this, and was then confounded by depression."
The U of G responded to the letter, sending GuelphToday a list of changes it made in the wake of the Scott-Thomas situation.
“The University recognized the need to further review policies, practices and the environment in the Department of Athletics following the following the 2019 firing of track and field coach Dave Scott-Thomas,” said a written response from Deirdre Healey, news service manager at the University of Guelph.
“McLaren Global Sport Solutions was hired to conduct a thorough review, and a public report was released in Jan. 2021. The University also released the recommendations of the university’s Sexual Violence Task Force and announced the creation of a new Sexual Violence Steering Committee. “
She added: “These initiatives will help us chart a path forward. In addition to making our policies and processes clear and effective, we want to foster a university culture that supports safety, openness, transparency and accountability around the issue of sexual violence.”
Healey outlined 10 areas in which improvements were made, ranging from student-athlete handbook additions to mandatory education and training for coaches, student-athletes, club executives, operations staff and full-time staff.
“Already, we have made many improvements, including new policies and supports and coaching codes of conduct. But much work remains. We are committed to doing more, and to doing better,” said Healey. “We continue to listen and learn, to offer apologies to those who endured suffering and hardship, and to remain vigilant in our commitment to make our campus a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.”
GuelphToday has not been able to contact Scott-Thomas for comment. In April of 2020 he issued a statement through his lawyer apologizing for his behaviour.
“In the course of my 22-year coaching career, I have always endeavoured to conduct myself with integrity and professionalism. In one case, I failed. I deeply regret my behaviour at that time. I am sorry for the pain and disappointment my actions caused," Scott-Thomas's statement read
