Skidmore College
NCAA DIII • NULL
Date: December 29, 2023
Would Recommend
Tags
I was initially recruited to play lacrosse at Skidmore College, which was a significant opportunity for me. Unfortunately, I had to make the difficult decision to quit the team due to several reasons, primarily related to my mental health challenges and the dynamics with the coach, Ghilardi. During my time on the team, I found Coach Ghilardi to be cold and hurtful in her approach to motivating players. Her coaching style often involved pointing out our flaws and weaknesses, with the belief that this would push us to improve. However, instead of motivating us, it created a constant fight or flight mentality within the team. Her tactics seemed to undermine our self-esteem rather than boost our confidence. One of the most concerning aspects of my experience was the high turnover rate on the women's lacrosse team. This suggests that I wasn't the only one who felt this way. It's disheartening to witness Coach Ghilardi seemingly taking advantage of her players' vulnerabilities, which contradicts the importance she preaches about mental health. Although Coach Ghilardi may emphasize mental health, my fellow teammates often reported feelings of stress, unhappiness, and disappointment. It's evident that her coaching style had a detrimental impact on our well-being. She not only failed to support us mentally but also came across as a dream crusher and a bully, making it an unpleasant and unhealthy environment for student-athletes. I hope that the Skidmore College administration can address these issues to create a healthier and more supportive environment for student-athletes, where both physical and mental well-being are taken into consideration.