Westbrook Gone

[casetopia]

Tennessee issued this short Kellie Harper statement this morning on guard Evina Westbrook: “Evina and I met to discuss her future, and she shared with me that she has decided to transfer. We wish her well.”

Harper then gave Westbrook a basketball signed by the team. Westbrook immediately turned it over.

 

[spojo13]

NOOOOO, I know of no derogatory racial remarks. I am specifically talking about the beating she's unfairly taken on message boards after it was clear that Helen Keller could have seen that the players were crestfallen and unhappy with the fact that they weren't being provided with the coaching and strong leadership they needed to succeed. Even before the season began I even mentioned that we will all know what the real problem has been these past few seasons if the players begin showing the signs that I feared they would. NONE OF THIS IS THE PLAYERS' FAULT. Adults let Westbrook down, and it is the ugliness and mean-spirited aggression toward her by adult fans that finally sent her packing. I guarantee you that it is the hateful fans that have made her and her mother feel emotionally unsafe enough to be willing an anxious to go through all this upheaval to escape it.

Exactly. I mean you can go back in this thread and find people disparaging her character left and right because she dared say what everyone with eyes could see. Look up Franklin Pierce and PG1’s post for just a few examples. People have been hateful towards her during and after the season ended because she was the new Diamond, Meghan, T’ea, etc. Parents should not engage with fans, and it would be better for their health to stay off of places like this board. Still doesn’t change the fact that she was blasted by fans of this program who defended Holly above anyone else, and I wish no ill will towards. I hope she does well.

 

[NoBackBoard]

NOOOOO, I know of no derogatory racial remarks. I am specifically talking about the beating she's unfairly taken on message boards after it was clear that Helen Keller could have seen that the players were crestfallen and unhappy with the fact that they weren't being provided with the coaching and strong leadership they needed to succeed. Even before the season began I even mentioned that we will all know what the real problem has been these past few seasons if the players begin showing the signs that I feared they would. NONE OF THIS IS THE PLAYERS' FAULT. Adults let Westbrook down, and it is the ugliness and mean-spirited aggression toward her by adult fans that finally sent her packing. I guarantee you that it is the hateful fans that have made her and her mother feel emotionally unsafe enough to be willing an anxious to go through all this upheaval to escape it.

So she left her dream school based on anonymous posts on a message board? No one can verify that the posters are adults, or even Lady Vol fans. To make matters worse, neither she or her family are required to read this board or respond to posters.

If her concern is receiving criticism from anonymous people, I’m not sure where she can go to avoid that. And if she has plans on playing professionally, she’ll face much of the same thing, but maybe worse because there’s more money at stake.

 

[LA Vol]

Westbrook was defended as much as she was disparaged. She just wanted to be elsewhere.

 

[Orange Maniac]

Exactly. I mean you can go back in this thread and find people disparaging her character left and right because she dared say what everyone with eyes could see. Look up Franklin Pierce and PG1’s post for just a few examples. People have been hateful towards her during and after the season ended because she was the new Diamond, Meghan, T’ea, etc. Parents should not engage with fans, and it would be better for their health to stay off of places like this board. Still doesn’t change the fact that she was blasted by fans of this program who defended Holly above anyone else, and I wish no ill will towards. I hope she does well.

Really? Someone wants to uproot their life because 8 or 10 internet posters gave her a hard time about her play. What about the ones who were supportive? I find it very hard to believe it was because of a few nasty internet posters. There has to be more to it than that. If that's all it takes to make you take your ball and go home, you are in for a rough road through life until you learn better. I never saw anything but support at a game, Never heard a harsh word uttered that would come close to being heard by her. I think this part is blown way out of proportion. Anyway, she's gone and it's time to move on and go to battle with what we have remaining.

 

[spojo13]

So she left her dream school based on anonymous posts on a message board? No one can verify that the posters are adults, or even Lady Vol fans. To make matters worse, neither she or her family are required to read this board or respond to posters.

If her concern is receiving criticism from anonymous people, I’m not sure where she can go to avoid that. And if she has plans on playing professionally, she’ll face much of the same thing, but maybe worse because there’s more money at stake.

It wasn’t just here though. It was much worse on Twitter and other social networks. People literally @-ing her to make their point. People with pictures in Lady Vols gears and at home. Not everyone is anonymous on these networks. I’m proud that you are someone who can brush things off, but not every 20 year old young woman handles people attacking them like you. Kudos to you though! Congrats!

 

[spojo13]

Really? Someone wants to uproot their life because 8 or 10 internet posters gave her a hard time about her play. What about the ones who were supportive? I find it very hard to believe it was because of a few nasty internet posters. There has to be more to it than that. If that's all it takes to make you take your ball and go home, you are in for a rough road through life until you learn better. I never saw anything but support at a game, Never heard a harsh word uttered that would come close to being heard by her. I think this part is blown way out of proportion. Anyway, she's gone and it's time to move on and go to battle with what we have remaining.

Read my next post. It wasn’t just here. Just bc you didn’t read it or post it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I am just stating that these classless posts about her do NO GOOD, but please go ahead!

 

[spojo13]

Westbrook was defended as much as she was disparaged. She just wanted to be elsewhere.

And that is fine that she wanted to go somewhere else. We can’t revise history though and act like people on here and elsewhere didn’t personally attack her. No need to disparage her now and just understand that she did what was best for her.

 

[VolBall09]

Read my next post. It wasn’t just here. Just bc you didn’t read it or post it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I am just stating that these classless posts about her do NO GOOD, but please go ahead!

Correct, posts like you mention serve no purpose, are completely out of line and have an effect on more than just the person they are directed at. Other players on the team see the vitriol being spit at their teammate for doing next to nothing, I'm sure that doesn't have a positive impact for their morale or desire to stick with the program if times get tough.

I believe it is fair to criticize players for their on court performance and attitude, but anything from off the court is between them, their teammates, coaches and parents. They don't need our help sorting that out. Which is why I am not a collegiate basketball coach.

 

[Orange Maniac]

Read my next post. It wasn’t just here. Just bc you didn’t read it or post it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I am just stating that these classless posts about her do NO GOOD, but please go ahead!

Go ahead and what? I've been fully supportive of Westbrook and this site isn't the only site I read so I know what you are referring to. I still stand by my statement. There has to be a lot more to it than a few fans ripping her. If not, then she needs to toughen up, buttercup.

 

[Franklin Pierce]

Exactly. I mean you can go back in this thread and find people disparaging her character left and right because she dared say what everyone with eyes could see. Look up Franklin Pierce and PG1’s post for just a few examples. People have been hateful towards her during and after the season ended because she was the new Diamond, Meghan, T’ea, etc. Parents should not engage with fans, and it would be better for their health to stay off of places like this board. Still doesn’t change the fact that she was blasted by fans of this program who defended Holly above anyone else, and I wish no ill will towards. I hope she does well.

\

Franklin and PG1 are now Lady Vol's basketball power brokers.

We will try to act Responsibly with our Power over the players.

 

[spojo13]

Go ahead and what? I've been fully supportive of Westbrook and this site isn't the only site I read so I know what you are referring to. I still stand by my statement. There has to be a lot more to it than a few fans ripping her. If not, then she needs to toughen up, buttercup.

Yes, you can “go ahead” and act like it didn’t happen. And you are so right that we’r all be much better people and stronger if we only listened to more people hurling insults at us. You are so right! I am glad you have such insight on how the world works.

 

[spojo13]

Correct, posts like you mention serve no purpose, are completely out of line and have an effect on more than just the person they are directed at. Other players on the team see the vitriol being spit at their teammate for doing next to nothing, I'm sure that doesn't have a positive impact for their morale or desire to stick with the program if times get tough.

I believe it is fair to criticize players for their on court performance and attitude, but anything from off the court is between them, their teammates, coaches and parents. They don't need our help sorting that out. Which is why I am not a collegiate basketball coach.

Exactly! For people to act like the negative stuff doesn’t affect people much more so than praise, i.e. human nature, then they are being willingly obtuse. Wish her well and move on. I have no idea if the negative criticism played much part in her leaving, but it sure didn’t help!

 

[volman128]

NOOOOO, I know of no derogatory racial remarks. I am specifically talking about the beating she's unfairly taken on message boards after it was clear that Helen Keller could have seen that the players were crestfallen and unhappy with the fact that they weren't being provided with the coaching and strong leadership they needed to succeed. Even before the season began I even mentioned that we will all know what the real problem has been these past few seasons if the players begin showing the signs that I feared they would. NONE OF THIS IS THE PLAYERS' FAULT. Adults let Westbrook down, and it is the ugliness and mean-spirited aggression toward her by adult fans that finally sent her packing. I guarantee you that it is the hateful fans that have made her and her mother feel emotionally unsafe enough to be willing an anxious to go through all this upheaval to escape it.

As I said before, Evina was just the latest in a line of players that were the scapegoat for Holly-coached teams during her tenure.

 

[madtownvol]

Read my next post. It wasn’t just here. Just bc you didn’t read it or post it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I am just stating that these classless posts about her do NO GOOD, but please go ahead!

Westbrook was defended as much as she was disparaged. She just wanted to be elsewhere.

I was really hoping that the coaching change would be the incentive for Evina to stay. But she has moved on and i wish her all the best. And I am sure there were a number of reasons that drover her decisions.

Oregon is culturally quite different from East Tennessee; maybe this part of the world of was just not where she felt at home.

 

[Orange Maniac]

Yes, you can “go ahead” and act like it didn’t happen. And you are so right that we’r all be much better people and stronger if we only listened to more people hurling insults at us. You are so right! I am glad you have such insight on how the world works.

You are way out in left field. Take a breath and calm down. Where did I say it didn't happen? Now you admit in another post that you don't know if it was a factor. Are you kidding me? Speechless.................

 

[spojo13]

I was really hoping that the coaching change would be the incentive for Evina to stay. But she has moved on and i wish her all the best. And I am sure there were a number of reasons that drover her decisions.

Oregon is culturally quite different from East Tennessee; maybe this part of the world of was just not where she felt at home.

Yes. I am sure there are many reasons. I think it’s best for everyone to just say thanks for what you did for our team and move along. Pat and the Lady Vols stand for class, so why can’t we?

 

[LA Vol]

And that is fine that she wanted to go somewhere else. We can’t revise history though and act like people on here and elsewhere didn’t personally attack her. No need to disparage her now and just understand that she did what was best for her.

It is fine. It's for the best, all-around. Athletes, like celebrities, are always scrutinized and subject to criticism. Right or wrong, it comes with the territory. She had a lot of support, too. She wanted to be heard. She was. She wanted a new coach. She got it. It wasn't enough. Maybe she can find what she's looking for elsewhere. I doubt she was ever going to find it at UT.

 

[spojo13]

You are way out in left field. Take a breath and calm down. Where did I say it didn't happen? Now you admit in another post that you don't know if it was a factor. Are you kidding me? Speechless.................

You were stating like it was fact that it was only a few people on here, and she needed to just toughen it up. No one knows what all played a part, but people saying nasty things was obviously enough of problem to where her mom said something before the season ever ended. That is a fact.

 

[hammer22]

Here is something that is easy to see and for those that can read between the lines with a lot of these coaches. Ill give you two scenarios.

1. Sabrina, knowing she was the number 1 pick, elected to stay in Oregon.
2. Jackie Young left as quick as she could.

Look at this just face value. This is very telling.

Ionescu's team has a great shot at a National Championship next season. Jackie's did not. Westbrook also removed Oregon from her list when Ionescu committed.

 

[Benionsopinion]

And that is fine that she wanted to go somewhere else. We can’t revise history though and act like people on here and elsewhere didn’t personally attack her. No need to disparage her now and just understand that she did what was best for her.

Not a disparagement,but I am not sure that Evina leaving is the best thing for her. I wish her well and appreciate her contributions to our Lady Vols.That said,if she continues to leave situations that cause her to be uncomfortable,rather than push back against them,she will have to live a sheltered life to escape normal or abnormal criticisms. At any rate,Kellie should be full speed ahead in replacing her and any others with qualms about the program.
Now I,as well as others I'm sure,would like for those on this board with things to say about the situation with the team speak plainly as to what they refer to in their posts. If you know something,let other posters know. No more innuendo,just truth.
As always--Go Kellie and Go Lady Vols!

 

[Nute Gunray]

I was really hoping that the coaching change would be the incentive for Evina to stay. But she has moved on and i wish her all the best. And I am sure there were a number of reasons that drover her decisions.

Oregon is culturally quite different from East Tennessee; maybe this part of the world of was just not where she felt at home.

Evina did not want Holly to leave for the reason I stated in a previous post. The coaching change gave her an incentive to leave instead of the expected incentive to stay. Sad, sad situation.

 

[Lurker]

Exactly! For people to act like the negative stuff doesn’t affect people much more so than praise, i.e. human nature, then they are being willingly obtuse. Wish her well and move on. I have no idea if the negative criticism played much part in her leaving, but it sure didn’t help!

I don't think coaches or administrators are very effected by social media posts---especially anonymous posts on a message board. But players and parents, well,... I do hope no player or parent would seriously consider the comments made by anonymous posters on a message board either, but I suspect they do from time to time. Anonymous posters often write things they would never have the courage to say in person. There is very little accountability on an anonymous board.

If I was a coach, I'd want to ban my players from social media in all forms. In so doing, I would most likely have no players at all.

All the best to Ms. Westbrook. She is a very talented young woman and I hope she finds happiness and success at her next school. Both she and the Lady Vols will survive.

 

[spojo13]

Not a disparagement,but I am not sure that Evina leaving is the best thing for her. I wish her well and appreciate her contributions to our Lady Vols.That said,if she continues to leave situations that cause her to be uncomfortable,rather than push back against them,she will have to live a sheltered life to escape normal or abnormal criticisms. At any rate,Kellie should be full speed ahead in replacing her and any others with qualms about the program.
Now I,as well as others I'm sure,would like for those on this board with things to say about the situation with the team speak plainly as to what they refer to in their posts. If you know something,let other posters know. No more innuendo,just truth.
As always--Go Kellie and Go Lady Vols!

I can agree with this. I hate to see her go. She did a great job with what she had to work within. I don’t think it’s as simple as just “toughen up, buttercup.” College athletes are still complex human beings. We can sit here and act like we all know Evina and her motivations during the season and beyond. What went on behind closed doors is just that. I hate she is leaving, but I wish her well.

 

[Cees]

The good news out of this is, the new coach didn't allow this to fester. She told Westbrook to make a decision. Are you with us or not? Allowing this to hang over the program would just fester and hang over the team like a dark cloud until it was settled. Now they can move on and know what they have to work with and what they need. Kellie made another Pat-like move. Or if you don't want a Pat comparison, I think it is what most top level coaches would do. Good job coach.