2008 Woodie Awards
Former runner alleges misconduct
By Nick Bullock
After returning to Milwaukee, Courtney said she filed the official complaint.
"They told me they took the complaint seriously and thanked me for coming forward," Courtney said of the university's reaction. "There wasn't any more contact between Uhrich and I after that.
"I had qualified for the USA Track & Field Nationals two weeks after that, where I went alone because I didn't have a coach at that point. The university then notified me when Uhrich decided to resign, and that was it."
When asked if he was aware that Courtney said she had filed a complaint with the university, Uhrich said, "No, I wasn't aware of that." When the Tribune asked him to confirm he was unaware, Uhrich said, "I guess I have no comment."
Courtney's stance against Uhrich was not shared by all of her teammates at the time according to Courtney. She said she is no longer on speaking terms with now senior captain Cassie Peller.
"They (the Marquette Athletic Department) told us to move forward, to say that this was best for the team, which was the truth," said Peller of the previous report that Uhrich stepped down for personal reasons.
Courtney also confirmed that another former Marquette runner stepped forward to the university after Courtney said she filed her complaint.
When asked about the complaint from the other former runner, Uhrich said: "Same situation: inappropriate drinking." Neither Courtney nor Uhrich would name the other former runner who was said to have stepped forward.
When asked about the incident regarding Courtney and Uhrich, as well as the formal complaint, Mike Broeker, deputy athletics director said: "I am not quite sure of the incident you speak of. But what I will say about Uhrich is that we don't discuss personal matters."
The departure of their former coach has not deterred some team members from continuing to speak with him. Several of the team's upperclassmen, including Peller, still remain in contact with Uhrich.
"The whole thing was an unfortunate situation for everyone, but I don't have any hard feelings," Courtney said. "It's over, and I don't hold grudges."
"They told me they took the complaint seriously and thanked me for coming forward," Courtney said of the university's reaction. "There wasn't any more contact between Uhrich and I after that.
"I had qualified for the USA Track & Field Nationals two weeks after that, where I went alone because I didn't have a coach at that point. The university then notified me when Uhrich decided to resign, and that was it."
When asked if he was aware that Courtney said she had filed a complaint with the university, Uhrich said, "No, I wasn't aware of that." When the Tribune asked him to confirm he was unaware, Uhrich said, "I guess I have no comment."
Courtney's stance against Uhrich was not shared by all of her teammates at the time according to Courtney. She said she is no longer on speaking terms with now senior captain Cassie Peller.
"They (the Marquette Athletic Department) told us to move forward, to say that this was best for the team, which was the truth," said Peller of the previous report that Uhrich stepped down for personal reasons.
Courtney also confirmed that another former Marquette runner stepped forward to the university after Courtney said she filed her complaint.
When asked about the complaint from the other former runner, Uhrich said: "Same situation: inappropriate drinking." Neither Courtney nor Uhrich would name the other former runner who was said to have stepped forward.
When asked about the incident regarding Courtney and Uhrich, as well as the formal complaint, Mike Broeker, deputy athletics director said: "I am not quite sure of the incident you speak of. But what I will say about Uhrich is that we don't discuss personal matters."
The departure of their former coach has not deterred some team members from continuing to speak with him. Several of the team's upperclassmen, including Peller, still remain in contact with Uhrich.
"The whole thing was an unfortunate situation for everyone, but I don't have any hard feelings," Courtney said. "It's over, and I don't hold grudges."
Published: 9/6/07 Section: Sports
