Recently, VCU’s women’s volleyball coach of eight years, James Finley, has been fired allegedly for being openly gay. He agreed to give Her Campus an interview.
This is not the first accusation like this under the direction of the new athletic director, Ed McLaughlin. Associate Athletic Director Patricia Stauffer, who is openly lesbian, was demoted earlier this year; however she decided not to make a claim about it. Finley says they had a conversation shortly after her demotion and she warned him to keep his eyes open. But never in a million years did he think his contract would not be renewed.
“My husband, my three sons, and I have never had any issues. We were always welcome, always invited to events…until McLaughlin got here. I have not been invited to anything since,” says Finley.
So naturally, Finley was surprised when McLaughlin asked him into his office – for the first time. In a meeting that only lasted a few short minutes, the athletic director told Finley that he wanted to go in a “different direction,” and that his last day would be December 31st. There was no elaboration. Later, when McLaughlin met with the volleyball team, he told them that he needed someone who would represent the school better than Finley had.
“How can you represent the school better than we have?” Finley asked. He has turned the volleyball program around with this season alone, walking away with 25 wins and finishing 3rd in the A10 conference. “We have a perfect APR (academic progress rate) of 1000, our average GPA is higher than the NCAA standard. Lose more, that’s the only direction you could go in.”
Many students are shocked at the allegation made that Finley’s contract was not renewed because he is gay. “I think firing someone for being gay is definitely a violation of human rights and a violation of rights of being an American. It completely goes against everything VCU stands for in my estimation, and it’s also against personal beliefs,” says freshman Alex Bannan.
Students also believe that discriminating goes against VCU’s strive for diversity. Sophomore Graham Brooks said, “VCU is a school that has openly encouraged people being diverse and “making it real.” Unless him being gay is a prohibiting him from properly coaching, it makes no sense and is a contradiction of VCU’s mantra.”
Freshman Maheen Shahid added, “I just think it’s very interesting that the two people who were demoted and fired have similar sexual orientations and were both outcasted from their respective sporting communities. VCU has a policy against discrimination based on race, sex, and sexual orientation. It would be disappointing if they haven’t upheld their standards like they tell us to do.”
Overwhelmed by support, Finley stated, “Keep pressing forward.” Hundreds of emails of support have been sent and hundreds of phone calls have been made to President Rao, Wanda Mitchell, and other officials in a position of power over this case. “The best thing to do is to keep speaking out,” says Finley. “I love VCU, I want to be at VCU, my husband changed his career to stay at VCU.”
The university is investigating Finley’s claim and says that they are upholding the core value of diversity.
“I have a lot of confidence in the university, I believe Rao will make a good decision. Thank you for the continuation of support,” said Finley.
Students are encouraged to email support for Coach Finley to President Michael Rao.