Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Five San Diego State women's soccer players, including the Aztecs' top player, Jen Mello, were dismissed from the team this week after clashing with coaches over several issues, including allegations that the coaches pushed religion on players.

The dismissals follow dismissals of two other players in the spring who were later reinstated, plus four brief suspensions earlier this year involving postings on MySpace.com. Others, including the team's second-best player Erika Sutton, now are considering transferring.

Head coach Mike Giuliano, who just completed his third season at SDSU, and associate coach Mike Friesen, did not return calls seeking comment.

“All the controversies that are happening in this program, in this short period of time these two gentleman have taken over the program, is mind-boggling and they seem to be at the center of every one,” said Greg Strickland, father of sophomore Mariko Strickland, one of the dismissed players this week.

SDSU athletics spokesman Mike May said of the five: “We hope they stay at San Diego State. We hope they remain as students.”

Asked for the reason for the dismissals, May said, “At this point, it's a coach's decision, and that's the way we'll keep it.

May said those players on scholarship will be allowed to keep their financial aid through the remainder of their tenure at SDSU and would be offered releases if they want to transfer.

Strickland said his daughter was told if she makes any “negative representations to the press” about what happened, they would “take away her scholarship immediately.”

In a letter to SDSU Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel, Jen Mello's father Gary accused the coaches of “mental and verbal abuse” and trying to “mold them into their vision of the perfect young female with a religious backdrop.”

Gary Mello said the coaches hold religion discussions in team meetings, they question them on whether they are religious and suggest they go to church together. Greg Strickland said the coaches are “very heavy Christians.”

Gary Mello said there are many other issues, including the coaches trying to tell his daughter who her friends should be and that they “care way more about punishing players than winning soccer games.”

“I believe that the bottom underlying theme backdrop is religiously driven,” he said.