Statement  re  Tracey  Griesbaum   Tracey  Griesbaum’s  employment  as  head  coach  of  the  UI  Field  Hockey  team  was  not  terminated  based   on  her  gender.    AD  Barta  decided  a  change  in  leadership  was  necessary  after  a  three  month  independent  investigation   was  conducted  by  staff  of  the  UI  Department  of  Human  Resources  and  the  Office  of  Equal  Opportunity   and  Diversity.      After  interviewing  40  players,  administrators,  parents  and  professors,  the  investigators  in   their  report  stated  that  they  found  it  “very  concerning  that  several  SA  (student-­‐athletes)  described  a   team  environment  of  fear,  intimidation  and/or  mistreatment  by  Coach  Griesbam  and  several  SAs   Indicated  that  they  felt  pressured  to  play  injured.”   The  investigation  was  initiated  in  response  to  multiple  complaints  of  harassment  and  mistreatment  by   Griesbaum  from  student  athletes  in  the  field  hockey  program  over  a  period  of  several  years.       After  reviewing  the  findings  of  the  investigation,  AD  Barta  concluded  that  there  was  substance  to  these   persistent  allegations  and  that  he  had  to  protect  the  students.      Based  upon  the  results  of  his   investigation  and  his  discussions  with  Coach  Griesbaum,  he  decided  to  change  leadership   Griesbaum’s  employment  contract  with  the  University  of  Iowa  contained  the  right  to  terminate  her   employment  without  cause  which,  if  acted  on,  required  payment  of  $200,000  to  Griesbaum.    The  UI   terminated  Griesbaum’s  contract  and  fulfilled  its  financial  obligation  to  Griesbaum.    All  head  coaches  at   Iowa  have  employment  contracts  and  all  have  a  provision  to  terminate  without  cause  with  a  liquidated   damage  clause.       The  decision  to  change  leadership  in  the  field  hockey  program  last  year  was  unrelated  to  gender.    AD   Barta  hold  all  of  his  staff,  student-­‐athletes,  and  coaches  accountable  to  the  values  of  “Win.  Graduate.  Do   it  Right.”