Wednesday, November 14, 2001

Troudt’s contract will not be renewed for 2002 season
By Brandon Ortiz
Sports Editor

Head volleyball coach Sandy Troudt, the only coach of the volleyball program since its inception in 1996, was told Monday her contract will not be renewed for the 2002 season.

Athletics Director Eric Hyman said in a statement that Troudt’s efforts in starting the program were valuable.

“However, it’s time to take the program in a different direction,” Hyman said.

He said a coaching search will begin immediately.

Troudt, who compiled a 57-129 record in six seasons at TCU, called the decision unfair, saying she did not have enough time or the facilities to make the volleyball program competitive. The volleyball team finished the season with a 7-21 record, a year after compiling a program-best 15-18 record.

“I don’t think I was given the time,” Troudt said. “I don’t feel this is right.”

Hyman could not be reached for further comment.

Troudt said she was told a year ago by Hyman that the “program needed to show progress.”

“I would be the first to admit we did not have a good year,” Troudt said. “I thought I could make it work. We didn’t meet any of our goals.”

She said she told Hyman she didn’t have enough time to build the program, but “he didn’t really have a response.”

Troudt said playing in the Rickel Building made it difficult to recruit quality players.

“It is a great place to practice, but it is not a competitive arena,” Troudt said. “It is difficult to always answer why we play in a (recreation) center (to recruits).”

Troudt told the team Monday afternoon she will no longer coach the team.

Sophomore setter Tori Barlow said the decision shocked the team.

“It’s hard,” Barlow said. “You don’t know what is going to happen now. It is not a great feeling.”

Brandon Ortiz
b.p.ortiz@student.tcu.edu