Editor’s note: This is the full text of Jody Runge’s letter, released Tuesday in response to the report conducted of the women’s basketball department by Bond, Schoeneck & King. Her words have been left as written. Slight style changes have been made that change neither the content nor meaning of her words.
The publication of the Kansas City law firm report on the University of Oregon women’s basketball program marks the final step in a yearlong plan to damage my personal and professional reputation and destabilize the program.
Readers of the report will judge for themselves whether the athletic administration was wise to utilize the services of a law firm from Kansas City to solve a personnel problem, or to access local resources to mediate the communication issues within the program.
As soon as I learned of the players’ concerns about my motivational techniques and communication style, I set on a course of action to develop a comprehensive strategy to repair the damage that my actions had produced. I presented this plan to Bill Moos immediately upon his return from the desert. Unfortunately, my efforts at mediation were rebuffed at each turn.
I have learned much during this time of great pain and uncertainty within the women’s basketball program. Utilizing the “bull’s eye” approach presented in the report, I will detail what I have learned and how I will act in the future.
First, I’ve learned that relationships and communication count a great deal. My communication style is open and direct. Throughout my professional career I have surrounded myself with persons who complement this style. My athletic abilities, motivation and strong competitive spirit allowed me to overcome my shortcomings in this crucial area. I accept responsibility for this error and will focus my efforts in this area in the future.
Second, I’ve learned from the report that assistant coaches I hired to nurture and support the players had undermined my efforts to heal the rifts in the program. I was totally unaware of the depth of the player’s issues until they were reported in the press. As much as anything, this revelation contributed to my desire to leave the head coaching position.
Third, I learned that despite the overall success of the program, I was viewed as a pariah within the Athletic Department. As the lone female head coach of a major sport at the University, I realize that my efforts to promote equality within the Athletic Department were frequently misinterpreted. My efforts to secure additional academic support for the players, to provide quality facilities, to pursue equity in publicity and gain financial resources for my assistant coaches were viewed as “selfish and self serving” on the part of others in the Athletic Department. I do not apologize for the strength of my advocacy for women’s athletics.
Fourth, I learned that the relationships I developed with supporters within the community were strong. These individuals, young and old, male and female have strengthened resolve to build a broad base of support for women’s athletics. These supporters assisted me in the development of the mediation plan and forcefully presented it both to the athletic administration and to the Kansas City law firm. Furthermore, numerous supporters of the program that I requested be interviewed were not contacted. Unfortunately, the Kansas City report virtually ignored the constructive role the supporters play in our program.
In summary, I have learned that relationships and communication matter! I regret that I will not be able to develop and nurture my relationship with the continuing players and those we recruited for the fall.
Thank you to all the fabulous fans and supporters who have made University of Oregon women’s basketball a magical experience for me. I will return to coaching when the right opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, I plan to spend time with my family and friends, work in my garden, read some good books, travel and rekindle my spirit.
Click here to read about the release of the report compiled by Bond, Schoeneck & King and more of Runge’s response.