According to the Grand Rapids Community College Athletics website, starting on Nov. 6 the women’s basketball team had their games canceled through Nov. 20.
Lyndsie Post, the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at GRCC, declined to release any information regarding the incident that led to the game cancellations. Instead, she released a statement on Nov. 20 stating, “Grand Rapids Community College became aware of an incident involving the GRCC Women’s Basketball Team. In response, the College took immediate action, including the suspension of all team activities.”
In her email to The Collegiate, Post emphasized the college’s commitment to their athletes’ safety.
“At GRCC, we are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students, athletes and staff,” she stated. “The well-being of our student-athletes and the integrity of our programs remain our top priorities. We take this situation seriously and have worked diligently to ensure a fair and thorough review.”
While the details of what the incident was were not disclosed, Post confirmed the cancellations were through Nov. 20, and the schedule on GRCC Athletics website indicates a game scheduled for Wednesday, Dec 4.
The GRCC women’s basketball team opened the season in Wisconsin Dells, for the NJCAA Tip Off Basketball Invitational where they lost both games in single-digit defeats, losing to Wisconsin-based school Bryant & Stratton College 57-49, and Illinois-based school Black Hawk College, 55-46.
After the trip to Wisconsin, the Raiders saw their next game against Montcalm Community College canceled, as well as a future trip to Illinois to partake in the Lake Land College tournament against Illinois-based schools Lake Land College and Olney Central College. As the week went on the team was hit with three more canceled games against Jackson College, Oakland Community College and Macomb Community College. There was no formal announcement about the six games being canceled.
When the Collegiate asked follow up questions, Post responded in an email stating, “We are not granting interviews or answering any questions. That’s why I sent you a prepared statement. Here it is again:”
Post ended her response with a copy of her original prepared statement.
David Glazier, the head coach of the women’s basketball team and Assistant Athletic Director Joe Fox said they could not comment and referred The Collegiate to the college spokesperson. GRCC Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo could not be reached for comment.
Sports editor Jack Walker contributed to this report.
