Grambling State University has announced the termination of the school’s volleyball coach, Chelsey Lucas. The university said the firing comes after an internal investigation within the volleyball program.

“The success of student-athletes and their ability to matriculate at Grambling State University is the top priority,” said Dr. Trayvean Scott, president of intercollegiate athletics for GSU. “As we move forward in this transition and commence a national search for the next coach, all volleyball student-athletes who received scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year will keep their scholarships and remain on the team. Walk-ons will also continue to hold their roster spot.”

According to KSLA News 12, Lucas responded with the following statement after being let go.

“Since I started at Grambling, I have been ordered not to speak to the media. My voice has unfortunately been silenced despite the rumors and accusations about me. As a result, I have not been able to provide my side of the story about the many events that have occurred during my tenure as head volleyball coach at Grambling. I was told today, without notice or any opportunity for discussion, that I was being terminated. When I asked why I was being terminated, the administration was not able to provide me any details about why they decided to fire me.

“This termination came just days after I had requested and then had a meeting with the President to discuss the way I had been treated in recent weeks by the Athletic Director. The AD, without me knowing in advance, was invited to this meeting with the President. The AD was visibly upset at my complaints during my meeting with the President, and today I was informed that he was the one who recommended my termination. I will be working with my attorney to prepare a response, and believe that my side of this story will demonstrate that what happened to me today was not right or just.”

Two days after the coach’s firing, on July 7, Lucas was interviewed by Carl Reed with 247Sports on YouTube. In the interview, Lucas denied letting the entire roster earlier this year. She said there was a “calculated plan” by the team to get her fired that was started by an individual she used to coach at another school. Lucas claims some of the young women on the team left on their own accord and weren’t dismissed.

“It is the responsibility of this institution to make sure that student-athletes are afforded opportunities in a manner compliant with all regulatory organizations,” Grambling State President Rick Gallot said. “That applies to athletics as much as it does to academics.”

Now, the university will conduct a nationwide search for a new Women’s Volleyball Head coach.

Read more:

Charles Jackson French heroic actions in World War II saved lives

Did you know Betty Boop was based on a Black woman