Oregon State coach faces backlash over abusive coaching methods
- There were multiple allegations of an abusive coaching culture at Oregon State's volleyball program under Mark Barnard.
- Players from Australia echoed these allegations, recounting similar experiences during their time with Barnard as their coach.
- The fallout from these reports has sparked significant backlash against Barnard, leading to public apologies and ongoing discussions about athlete welfare.
In November 2020, reports emerged about a culture of abuse within the Oregon State women's volleyball program under coach Mark Barnard. These allegations coincided with similar accounts from athletes in Australia who had previously been coached by Barnard. Players described experiences that included physical and emotional abuse during training drills that mirrored techniques used in Australia. Selina Scoble, a participant on the Australian team, reported severe mental health struggles stemming from her time under Barnard's coaching. Following the initial reports, Volleyball Australia issued an apology to past athletes. In response to the revelations, Oregon State has defended Barnard, asserting that appropriate action was taken regarding the internal complaints. Despite this, players continue to speak out about Barnard's detrimental impact on their well-being.