Lubbock, Texas has been rocked by allegations involving the Texas Tech women’s basketball program. USA Today spoke to several players that played under Marlene Stollings at Texas Tech and detailed extensive abuse within the program.
Allegations include forcing players to maintain an elevated heart rate, hostility towards international players, being reprimanded by coaches for displaying signs of depression, sexual harassment and retaliation.
Brittany Brewer, who previously played for the Red Raiders and was drafted 17th overall (second round) in this year’s draft to the Atlanta Dream, addressed the revelations against her alma mater in a letter to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Everything you read was true.
–Brittany Brewer, Atlanta Dream and formerly of Texas Tech (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
In fact, there was so much more that happened, but most of my teammates wanted to remain anonymous.
–Brittany Brewer, Atlanta Dream and formerly of Texas Tech (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
We did not trust a lot of people.
–Brittany Brewer, Atlanta Dream and formerly of Texas Tech (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
A lot of my teammates transferred and I fully supported their decisions. I wanted to leave with them.
–Brittany Brewer, Atlanta Dream and formerly of Texas Tech (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
I am still dealing with the aftermath of being in such a toxic environment. I am still healing from it all and rewiring my thought processes.
–Brittany Brewer, Atlanta Dream and formerly of Texas Tech (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
I looked at every angle when I was defining what we were experiencing. I tried to rationalize it, but I could not and I still can’t. What we went through was abuse.
–Brittany Brewer, Atlanta Dream and formerly of Texas Tech (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
All of this being said, I am still grateful to Texas Tech University for my education and for bringing me lifelong sisters in my teammates. This situation was a big mess up, but I do not think it defines the experience of most student-athletes that have chosen to be Red Raiders.
–Brittany Brewer, Atlanta Dream and formerly of Texas Tech (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
…I implore our administration to take care of my teammates who are still at the university. Listen to them. Their experience can still be redeemed, and they deserve it.
–Brittany Brewer, Atlanta Dream and formerly of Texas Tech (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Stollings has since been fired as Texas Tech coach. Krista Gerlich, the coach at UT-Arlington assumes Stollings’ former role.
