UMBC fires 2 softball coaches after one is accused of inappropriate conduct
There is more turmoil at UMBC as the school has fired its head softball coach, Angie Nicholson, and her husband and assistant, Rick Nicholson, according to the parents of three players, after the assistant was accused of inappropriate conduct. On two separate occasions earlier this month, Rick Nicholson brushed the chest of two players while attempting to swat away insects, the parents said. When the second player objected to the contact, Rick Nicholson scolded the player, according to one parent.
He walked into the dugout and threatened to cut the player, which was overheard and reported by an observer, two parents said. The following week, Rick Nicholson was informed that he would no longer be retained, and the parents said he was dismissed on Tuesday. The parents said that players learned from athletic director Tiffany D.
Tucker during an on-campus meeting on Sunday night that Angie Nicholson had been removed from her position. It’s not clear why Angie Nicholson was let go. Lisa K.
Van Riper, UMBC’s vice president for communications and marketing, would not confirm or deny the moves. “Due to confidentiality protections in Maryland State law, I am unable to discuss personnel matters,” she wrote via text Sunday night. The removal of a head coach and an assistant with the softball program comes on the heels of a monthslong controversy embroiling the men’s lacrosse team.
Since at least October, coach Ryan Moran has been on administrative leave because of a review initiated by a bullying and “sexual misconduct” allegation made the month before by one player against a teammate. Aside from one communication before Thanksgiving, university officials have said little else, which has frustrated parents of lacrosse players. ‘Players are absolutely divided’ No softball practices have been scheduled this week, and the rest of the season is up in the air, according to parents who spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns that their daughters might face reprisals.
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