By
Logan Brandon McMinnville N-R Oct 30, 2018
Eight former Linfield volleyball players, including previous
captain and McMinnville High School graduate Taylor Petersen, have filed a
joint Title IX harassment claim against current Wildcat head coach Josh Davis.
Raegan Barr, Tessa Doerfler, Destyni Grace, Anikalea Keliiheleua, Mattie Kelly,
Taylor Souza, Brianna Sanford and Petersen signed the document. All quit the
team earlier this month, alleging harassment, retaliation and verbal abuse by
Davis.
In their formal complaint, the student athletes cite a
nine-page report detailing the reputed behavior by Coach Davis. The Title IX claim
was sent last Thursday to Assistant Director of Athletics and NCAA Compliance
Officer Amy Dames Smith.
Linfield declined to respond to the Title IX claim, noting a
policy of not discussing or commenting on investigations.
While the college conducted multiple interviews with
players, coaches and parents in mid-September, no changes have taken place on
the volleyball staff.
Director of Communications Scott Nelson stated the team
wouldn’t utilize the Competitive Cauldron practice technique for the remainder
of the season. The method was an issue many players included in the nine-page
grievance report.
Nelson also said it isn’t uncommon for programs to play with
fewer than 12 players at any level of volleyball, adding, “It’s the coach’s job
to know how to adapt to the situation and create a fun and competitive
environment for all players.”
Linfield has two matches remaining, Friday at Whitman and
Saturday at Whitworth.
Linfield’s initial response to the eight players’ departure
stated, “Changing coaches and coaching style, in any sport, often involves a
growth process for both players and the coach. Linfield will continue to
communicate openly with everyone involved in this transition, and is confident
the result will be a successful on-court team and a positive and supportive
learning environment for our student-athletes.”
On Oct. 15, assistant coach Alfred Agcaoili voiced his
concerns to Linfield’s Human Resources. He said Davis’ behavior, as detailed in
the players’ report, caused him to come forward in support of the volleyball
athletes. Agcaoili noticed a distinct change in the coaching styles of Davis
and former Linfield coach Shane Kimura, who stepped in as interim head coach
Oct. 3-6 while Davis attended to health-related matters.
In a statement provided to the News-Register, Agcaoili said,
“Shane Kimura’s greatest legacy are all the strong, industrious women he has
provided guidance and support for in an uplifting and encouraging manner
through volleyball for the past four decades. This is Shane’s greatest
contribution to the McMinnville community and beyond as a servant leader:
mentoring and supporting future servant leaders honorably that shined a
positive spotlight on Linfield College and the women he celebrated and
supported. He is a great human being and leader. Shane Kimura will always be
Linfield Volleyball.”
Agcaoili was asked about the validity of a claim by Shelli
Wainwright, Petersen’s mom. In a News-Register letter to the editor sent Oct.
11, Wainwright stated Linfield Director of Athletics Garry Killgore threatened
Agcaoili and fellow assistant coach Meaghan Angel with termination if the two
spoke of the situation to outside organizations.
Linfield responded in an Oct. 12 email, through Nelson, saying, “Garry Killgore, Director of Athletics, did not say he would fire coach Davis if he could, nor did he ‘put on notice’ assistant coaches for discussing these issues.”
Agcaoili contradicted the school’s response, noting,
“Assistant Coach Meaghan Angel and I were put on notice by Garry Killgore in an
October 2 meeting with him in his office that we would be dismissed from the
Linfield Volleyball staff if we spoke about any internal matters regarding
concerns and complaints brought to their attention by the Linfield women’s
volleyball team. Both of us are currently on Josh Davis’ coaching staff.”
Asked again Monday about the public accusation by Wainwright
and the threat toward the assistant coaches, Killgore denied saying any threats
toward volleyball staff.
The parents of the former players are not pursuing legal
action against Linfield College at this time.
