The Daily Egyptian is out with a report Wednesday claiming SIU athletic director Liz Jarnigan was fired last week at least in part because she covered up abuse claims in the women's swimming and diving team.
The article reports the Equity and Compliance Office has launched an investigation into allegations made by SIU women’s swim and dive athletes saying their coach, Geoff Hanson, emotionally and sexually abused them since 2019.
Two unidentified former athletes said they had a meeting with the Equity and Compliance Office in October 2020 to describe Hanson's conduct. They said Jarnigan was present at the meeting. But, they say she did nothing to correct the behavior.
One of the athlete's parents said they contacted SIU-C Chancellor Austin Lane via email on September 7 and Jarnigan was let go on the 9th. Lane did not confirm the allegations against Hanson led to Jarnigan's firing.
SIU-C leaders say they take all allegations against Hanson seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation, following university policies and procedures and will act accordingly.
Saluki women's soccer coach Grant Williams has also been placed on administrative leave.
The university has not publicly provided a reason for the move.
A university spokesperson reports assistant coach, Taylor Brittingham, will fulfill the head coaching duties in Williams' absence.
Williams became the first women’s soccer head coach in school history in October 2018.
The program competed for the first time in fall of 2019 and made its Missouri Valley Conference debut last season.
