The University confirmed late Thursday afternoon that women’s assistant basketball coach Carla Berry reported mid-February an alleged inappropriate relationship between former LSU women’s basketball coach Pokey Chatman and a former player.
According to the release, Berry informed Chatman of the allegations after the Southeastern Conference Tournament, which ended March 4.
The press release came after more than a week of speculation about the circumstances surrounding Chatman’s sudden resignation March 7.
Original press releases from the Athletic Department cited Chatman as leaving to pursue other “career opportunities.”
According to the Thursday’s press release, “speculation” prompted the University to release additional information.
Chancellor Sean O’Keefe said in the release that Chatman made the “right decision” because it was in the best interest of the student athletes. O’Keefe said any allegation regarding such a relationship should be taken seriously.
“It is a fundamental principle that coaches are caretakers and surrogate parents to the student-athletes,” O’Keefe said in the release.
According to the “Standards” section in Chatman’s contract, Chatman was to perform her duties “in accordance with the high moral, ethical and academic standards of the Athletic Department and the University.”
LSU System spokesman Charles Zewe said the University has no written rule prohibiting student relationships with higher authorities.
“It’s absolutely preposterous to suggest that the University should condone relationships between professors, deans, or whomever and students just because there isn’t a written policy,” Zewe said. “How could anyone consider that having an alleged sexual or romantic relationship or some kind of alleged intimate relationship would be in high morals?”
Zewe said it should be “self-explanatory” that University authority figures should avoid relationships with students. But Zewe said following the Chatman situation, a written policy may soon be suggested to clarify any confusion.
“Just for those people that don’t quite understand … I suspect that somebody will propose some regulation to address that,” he said.
Senior Associate Athletic Director Judy Southard said in the press release that she admires Berry for coming forward with the allegation.
“I can say, without reservation, that Coach Berry acted with heartfelt interests for her alma mater and the student-athletes at LSU,” Southard said in the release.
Senior Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent said the team did not receive advance notice of the press release, although players may have already known because of the intense speculation.
“They’re getting ready to go to Austin,” Vincent said. “Their focus is on playing.”
Vincent also confirmed that Chatman will receive a $33,000 monthly salary through April 30.
Chatman will not be subject to contract guidelines that stated she could owe up to $400,000 in fines – $200,000 for each year before her contract’s original 2009 conclusion – because she is not immediately accepting another job, Vincent said.
—–Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]