Claiming Lucas ran intense drill practices that didn’t allow team members to showcase their athleticism, the anonymous student is confused about how the new GSU coach assessed any of her teammates.
“I don’t understand how she evaluated us when we were running all the time,” the player said in reference to the conditioning work Lucas put the team through upon her arrival. “We would start something (a drill) but if we messed up, we would run or do push-ups. It was more punishment than actual practice. We didn’t practice or show her any of our skills.”
Dismissing the misconception that Lucas is out for revenge, Trayvean Scott, the GSU Athletic Director, rectified the notion that the entire original team was being cut.
“I want to provide some fact. I’ve been told, and again I’ve only spoken to two student-athletes, one prospective and one current, that Coach Lucas is bringing an entire team is inaccurate,” Scott said. “My belief is it is four or five young ladies. I think the tone and tenor is that she cut the entire team, in fact, she intended to keep four or five,” Scott said.
Students like Naturi Parker were one of 19 players once on the GSU volleyball team with a scholarship, now face the decision of whether to continue their education at Grambling or transfer to a different school.
“The fact that I wasn’t even able to show what I can do is heartbreaking because, just like you said, I just went through the recruiting process, didn’t get recruited, but still found a way to make it on the team,” she said.
Families of prospective players said the coaching staff sent out emails this week on the team’s new direction.
“Hope you had a great weekend. As the head coach of the Grambling State University Volleyball team, the decisions are made for the entire GSU Volleyball Program. With that being said, I am not honoring the walk-on letter of intent that was given to you by the previous coach. I wish you the best on your next steps of your volleyball career,” the email read.
An anonymous parent shared with KSLA that the news comes to a surprise because his daughter is a superb student-athlete with a 3.7 GPA. Overall, he says his main concern is his daughter’s mental health.
