It's been a rough week for the athletics department at SIU-Carbondale.
Since Sept. 9, Director of Athletics Liz Jarnigan was fired, the Women's Swimming and Diving coach was accused of sexual harassment and the Women's Soccer coach was placed on administrative leave.
Charlotte West served as the Director of Athletics for women at SIU from 1960 to 1986. She says the administration needs to be transparent about what's going on as soon as they are able to do so from a legal standpoint.
"Everybody right now is not knowing exactly what happened, and when and how. Until there is an investigation, I don't think any of us know. But, you're not moving forward if you're sidestepping and having to do an investigation."
West says the current turmoil upsets her since Saluki Athletics has been such an important part of her life for several decades.
A national search is about to get underway for a Jarnigan's permanent replacement.
West says a shake-up like that can have ripple effects throughout the department.
She says this can be an uncertain time for coaches.
"There's always that question, will whoever gets the job respect me? Will they want to bring in their own person? So, that adds to the apprehension that we're all feeling now."
SIU Foundation Director Matt Kupec was named interim Athletic Director this week.
