Former UNC women’s rowing coach: ‘I am not the subject of any formal investigation’
Former North Carolina women’s rowing coach Sarah Haney wants to set the record straight.
“I am not the subject of any formal investigation by the University related to Title IX or any other matter,” Haney said in a statement Tuesday.
Haney resigned Monday as head coach of the women’s rowing team after 17 years with the program. In a statement, she said he wanted to spend more time with her children.
The Daily Tar Heel reported on Monday that it received an anonymous email from UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham indicating that there was a Title IX investigation into the women’s rowing team.
Cunningham, in a text message to the N&O, declined to comment on the existence of an investigation. He referred to a statement he released on Monday expressing his appreciation for Haney.
According to the report in The Daily Tar Heel, the university’s Title IX office was investigating the rowing program after complaints were made about Haney and assistant coach Anthony Brock. They allegedly include emotional abuse, injury negligence and sexual harassment, the article states. A spokesperson said Brock is on leave.
Haney has been the school’s head coach since the 2002 season. The women’s rowing team finished tied for seventh the past two years in the ACC Championship. Nine ACC programs have women’s rowing teams.
Hanney was a 1998 graduate of UNC and helped lobby to promote the rowing program to varsity status. She lettered on the school’s first varsity squad during the 1997-98 season.
“Stepping down was a difficult decision because I love Carolina and our rowing program, but this is the best choice for me,” Haney said. “I again want to thank Carolina’s coaches and staff for all of their support, and I look forward to cheering on the Tar Heels as an alum and fan.”
This story was originally published December 3, 2019 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Former UNC women’s rowing coach: ‘I am not the subject of any formal investigation’."
