Shaw University investigating allegations of misconduct on women's basketball team
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Several Shaw University women's basketball players are speaking out about what they call "misconduct" while playing for the Lady Bears.
"I just like how it was really just an escape from reality. It was just 'I could just do whatever,' 'I could just be fun,'" said Kiara Shepherd, describing her love for basketball. "I could just be myself. It was just the game was very natural to me."
Shepherd transferred to Shaw University to play for the Bears during the most recent season.
"I'm not trying to bash anybody, I'm just trying to say what happened," she said in a viral video.
In a video posted to Shepherd's TikTok account with more than 80,000 followers, she details various situations, describing mental, physical, and inappropriate behavior.
"It's been really hard to just kind of focus and just do my schoolwork, but it's just like this has been pounding in the back of my mind. And everybody is just like, well, just let it go ... I just wish that ... I can't. I can't," said Shepherd.
She shared an email with ABC11 showing that she reached out to the school's human resources department in February.
"They didn't follow up with me until after I posted the video, which was two months later. So it was just kind of like a slap in the face, like because they were acting like they were going to help us out and they were going to investigate," said Shepherd.
Former players like Desire Short, who played on the 2022-2023 team, shared her reaction to Shepherd's video.
"I'm really glad that she put that video out there because it really opened a lot of doors for everybody that had something to say," said Short.
Other former players said the treatment caused some teammates to leave.
"There is no reason why the same thing is being said over and over again, year after year, with the same, with different teams. The roster is almost clear every single year. Everybody is leaving. Everybody is transferring," said Alliyah Chaplin.
ABC11 reached out to the university about the video and allegations.
"Shaw University is aware of recent allegations that have surfaced online," the university said in a statement released Thursday. "The university takes any allegations of misconduct seriously. The university has no further comment at this time."
On Friday, ABC11 reached out to the university to learn whether an investigation into the claims has been launched and whether any staffing changes have been made as a result of the claims. The school has not responded to our request for information.
"I just witnessed like emotional abuse, yelling for no reason, and just like mistreatment," said Frantaisa Springs, who said she served as a team manager during the 2018-19 season.
Springs did not report her experiences to university officials while on campus but felt motivated to speak out after reading others' stories.
"I'm glad everybody's speaking up about it because if you're not going to speak out about it, it's just going to keep going on and on and on," Springs said.
Off-camera, a former player who asked to remain anonymous told ABC11 of inappropriate comments made about players' physical appearances.
"I was surprised different players are now coming out from previous years all the way from 2005 to (2007)," said one alum, who asked to remain anonymous.
That alum said they've heard from 11 former players describing allegations of inappropriate behavior and is now assisting with the legal process.
"Shocked. Stunned," said the alum.
Shepherd told ABC11 that the school has requested a meeting with her, though she does not plan to meet with them until hiring an attorney.
With women's basketball finally getting the shine nationally, the former college athletes want the school and staffers to ensure a safe environment and proper treatment.
"It's really hurting players, athletes that probably could have been farther than what they are now," said Short.
"I got friends that's been on the same team as she is. You can't keep playing people, send people to this program," said Chaplin.
