The administration at Wabash Valley College has publicly responded to allegations of wrong-doing in the WVC athletic department that has led to the departure of at least two coaches, one of which was also the athletic director.
The college did not issue a press release, but instead chose to post on Facebook. The post stated two Wabash Valley College students complained to the IECC district which launched a Title IX investigation.
The statement from the college does not go into any detail as to the nature of the complaint, who it was lodged against, or who made the complaint. But in a Facebook post of her own, former WVC athlete Sidney Foster says she filed a complaint against Mike Carpenter who was serving as mens’ basketball coach and athletic director. Carpenter resigned his positions late last month.
Foster stated on Facebook that WVC female athletes were the target of sexual or inappropriate remarks..something, she says, has gone on for years. Foster said she spoke out to help protect young women who didn’t have the courage to speak for themselves and for future Lady Warrior student-athletes.
The statement from WVC further stated that this past Friday evening, an employee of the college informed administration of a separate issue involving a different WVC employee. After a weekend investigation and talking with the individual, the employee submitted a letter of resignation Monday morning effective immediately.
While the Facebook post mentions no names of those accused, it is worth noting the WVC athletic website shows that Asa Deffendall is no longer listed as softball coach and Mike Carpenter’s name was removed was removed as mens’ basketball coach and athletic director. At one point in the last week, womens’ basketball coach Luke Scheidecker was listed as athletic director. Currently, there is no one listed as WVC athletic director on its’ website. All hirings and appointments to new positions would have to be made by the IECC Board of Trustees at their October 18th meeting.
Meanwhile, Isaas Wodajo is shown as associate head mens’ basketball coach and the only person listed on the coaching staff of the mens’ team.
WVC administration responded to intense social media criticism of their handling of the allegations stating on Facebook that “administration has been aware and active in responding to and investigating the complaints we received. We are committed to ensuring that our students and employees have safe and healthy learning and working environments. I understand that a lack of public communication on matters like this can invite rumors and speculation, including those that suggest nothing is happening. In reality, it is about protecting the privacy and due process rights that we must afford to all parties”.
The WVC Facebook post in its’ entirety:
In March of 2022, IECC received two complaints from WVC students. Given the nature of the complaints, we directed them to our Title IX Coordinator, and IECC subsequently conducted an extensive investigation that spanned six months. In compliance with Title IX regulations, this investigation resulted in a comprehensive written report we shared with the involved parties. We scheduled a formal hearing for September 26, 2022. Before the hearing occurred, IECC received a resignation from the WVC employee cited in the student complaint.
This past Friday evening, an employee informed the WVC administration of a separate issue involving a different WVC employee. Campus administration acted swiftly, gathering information and meeting directly with this employee on Saturday morning. This employee submitted a letter of resignation effective immediately on Monday morning. An investigation into this matter is still ongoing.
While we can make no further comments on these matters, we felt it was important for members of the College community to know that the IECC administration has been aware and active in responding to and investigating the complaints we received. We are committed to ensuring that our students and employees have safe and healthy learning and working environments. I understand that a lack of public communication on matters like this can invite rumors and speculation, including those that suggest nothing is happening. In reality, it is about protecting the privacy and due process rights that we must afford to all parties. For more information about our Title IX policies and procedures, you are welcome to visit www.iecc.edu/titleIX
The Sidney Foster Facebook in its’ entirety:
As many of you may know, and to the ones who don’t; I am the one who reported AD at Wabash Valley College, Mike Carpenter. I did this because my time at Wabash Valley College, not only myself, but other female student athletes would get sexual or inappropriate remarks, comments, etc made about me and them. This is something that has gone on for years. The overall thought is that as a young female adult this is not the example that I wanted to be set for my future. The more I thought about it the more I realized that I fell into the 97% of women, and it wasn’t something that I was okay with just letting happen. You see cases like this all the time. One person is all it takes to speak up, and then others feel better about coming forward with their experiences. Some still are quiet, but I do this not only for me and the young women that talk to me about it but the young women that don’t have enough courage to do it for themselves. I will be an advocate for these young females for as long as I can because if not me, then who? There are only a few people who are brave enough to speak out in situations such as this one. Where someone who is in charge of not only female athletes but male athletes as well. This is an abuse of power, and I am not the type of person to sit back and watch. I will not be a bystander, especially. I will not belittle myself because this is someone who has gotten away with sexualizing young women for years, and no one else could speak up. I’ve graduated, and I won’t be going back there however I wouldn’t feel right leaving people just like me to experience these situation. As an athletic director, and mens college basketball coach you are supposed to be a mentor. Especially for the young men on the team, and what type of example is being set for them with the way that the he treats these women who are half his age?Junior College is a learning opportunity for the real world, and young naive girls fresh out of high school have been exposed to this type of behavior. It’s not something I was okay with continuing to let happen. SPEAK UP YOUR VOICE MATTERS!!!!
