College of Vermont hockey coach fired after investigation over ‘inappropriate’ texts

Sports activities

The investigation discovered Todd Woodcroft “failed to take care of skilled boundaries.”

On Tuesday, the College of Vermont introduced the firing of Todd Woodcroft, head coach of the lads’s hockey group.

Woodcroft, who coached the Catamounts for 3 seasons, got here underneath investigation by the college for “inappropriate” textual content messages he allegedly exchanged with a scholar.

“After reviewing the findings of an investigation performed by UVM’s Workplace of Affirmative Motion and Equal Alternative that was accomplished this week, it’s clear that Coach Woodcroft failed to satisfy these expectations,” Vermont athletic director Jeff Schulman stated in a press release. “The particular conduct resulting in the investigation concerned inappropriate textual content messages with a UVM scholar on a number of events that failed to take care of skilled boundaries.”

Per a report by the Athletic’s Katie Strang, the investigation into Woodcroft could have been going on for “fairly a while.”

Woodcroft’s lawyer, Andrew Miltenberg, issued a statement to reporters contesting the college’s findings.

“We vehemently disagree with the method and the findings of a continuing that lacked elementary equity and due course of,” Miltenberg stated within the assertion. “We strongly imagine the College’s resolution was opposite to the information and the legislation. We intend to pursue justice for Mr. Woodcroft, who has been an impressive coach and group advocate for over 20 years.”

Woodcroft coached the College of Vermont to a 20-55-9 report and one playoff win in his three years on the helm. Beforehand, he spent 5 years in numerous positions across the NHL, in addition to a number of different skilled groups. His brother, Jay, is the top coach of the Edmonton Oilers.

Vermont named assistant coach Steve Weidler the group’s interim head coach for the upcoming season.

“The group and I’ve large confidence in Coach Wiedler’s skill to efficiently lead our program,” Schulman stated in a press release. “He has performed a serious function within the recruitment and growth of our present gamers and can step into this essential function with the complete assist of our group and his Athletic Division colleagues.”