Jacksonville Coach Out Amid Bullying Allegations

Alex Ricker-Gilbert, the athletic director of Jacksonville University, issued a statement that declared that Ron Grigg is stepping down from his posture as head coach of women’s cross-country and keep track of and industry personnel, and of the men’s cross nation group. Grigg “is no extended an worker of Jacksonville University. We feel, and Mentor Grigg agrees, that this is the best route forward for our existing and future student-athletes and their good results.”

Ricker-Gilbert included, “Over the earlier number of times there has been some very concerning info shared on the web with regards to the personal ordeals of some of our university student-athletes while at Jacksonville College. The posts and reviews have been hard to read, and they have deeply impacted me and our Dolphin spouse and children.”

He also announced that “Jacksonville College Athletics has tasked an exterior firm to promptly evaluation the new facts and allegations that have been shared in recent days about the activities of other scholar athletes. We just take these experiences really seriously, and it is our obligation to guarantee that this data gets the time and awareness that it deserves. In addition, this outside agency will complete an audit of our athletic department’s policies, reporting mechanisms, and responsive actions in an work to fortify and enhance them. This audit will include interviews of latest and previous learners to stimulate candid feedback and will support us with identifying and acquiring remarkable means that deal with places exactly where we as a college can make improvements to. Our objective is to create a safe and supportive environment for our pupil athletes and coaches to share their concerns. This audit has by now commenced.”

Grigg could not be attained for comment.

The Florida Times-Union reported that allegations of bullying have been made from the coach by women who are runners. A law enforcement report from November 2021 said just one of the runners died by suicide.