Penn State women’s basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger addressed the media following an article detailing alleged misconduct during her time at Marquette and Penn State.
During a Zoom meeting with media members Tuesday, Kieger said โI read the story, and I was disappointed and sad that a few of my former athletes didnโt have a positive experience.โ
โHowever, I am proud that many of my former players did have a positive experience and remain close to me to this day,” Kieger said. โI tell our players every day that every opportunity, whether it’s good or disappointing, is an opportunity to learn and grow and elevate and get better, and this is what that opportunity presents.โ
Kieger went on to say, โObviously, at any opportunity, Iโll always evaluate myself and look for ways to do better and enhance our student-athlete experience.”
“I always strive for my student-athletes to have a positive environment and to have a safe spot to grow and to learn. [The] number one goal for our program is to provide a space for our young women to become the best versions of themselves. And Iโll definitely evaluate ways that I can improve and make the student-athlete experience a positive one.โ
Kieger was also pleased with how the university responded to the story saying “(Athletic Director) Pat Kraft and the university have done a great job with researching and going back and looking at our student-athlete surveys and looking at end-of-the-year comments made by our student-athletes.”
โI was pleased to know that those were all positive. The culture of inclusiveness and positivity is what our former student-athletes have been saying.โ
Penn State issued a statement following the story late Monday saying โPenn State and Penn State Athletics takes seriously any allegations of misconduct, and any reports are thoroughly reviewed… Based on direct feedback from student-athletes, Coach Kieger and the womenโs basketball staff provide a positive and inclusive environment with a focus on their development on and off the basketball court.โ
After starting the season 3-0, Penn State will take on Niagara at 11:30 a.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center Thursday.
