Demand Investigation into Penn State Women's Gymnastics & Athletics

Every sport requires athletes to give 110%, regardless. In college, that demand also includes being prepared for classes. If an athlete feels singled out for "punishment", is emotionally abused, or they're required to practice over a Doctor's orders, there's something hugely wrong with that schools program. It's hard enough for a victim to come forward, let alone suffer in silence. It's more then obvious that the investigation either wasn't thorough enough or worse, was swept under the rug. Athletes that have spent years and years dedicated to their sport don't quit for no reason. Shame on you Penn State. Your athletes deserve more.

As a former gymnast who at times felt emotionally abused by my coaches, my heart breaks for these girls. Reading their stories, I was reminded of how tough the sport is and how girls are often pushed way too far. I hope they find peace, as I did, when I finally left that gym and went on to have a rewarding high school track career.

Coaches should be leaders and inspire their athletes, not mentally abuse and belittle them.

My daughter is in competitive gymnastics (age 12) and coaches like the Thompsons should be investigated and, if any misconduct is found, reported. If misconduct is found they should no longer be able to coach at ANY level.

These coaches should NOT be allowed to coach anyone! If a university condones this type of coaching and behavior my girls will not be going there for anything in their future!

I really want to sign that petition, that couple is evil

Don't let another football fiasco happen! Do a serious investigation into this matter. Girls are getting hurt!

Are we looking at yet another scandal in the athletic dept.

The Thompson coaches are NOT the kind that keeps the welfare and integrity of their team to heart. The athletic director needs to pull his head out of the sand and do the right thing. Fire Jeff !!! PSU does not need this. Sandusky started it all. Do the right thing and try to remedy your reputation !!!!

There is no place in college athletics for abusive people like Rachelle and Jeff Thompson. Has Penn State learned nothing from the Jerry Sandusky debacle. Or will the school continue to place profits ahead of athletes? The whole world is watchin, PSU!!

this may not have registered as physical abuse - but it is abuse just the same - and it is WORSE than physical abuse. There are too many coming forward for it not to be a valid concern.

These two coaches sound like real sh*tbirds, and BOTH should be replaced. Nobody deserves the treatment these f#$king idiots provided.

Did you not learn anything, Penn State? Be gone Thompsons!

Shame on the coaches. Charges should be filed and shame on the school!!

People like this should never be allowed to coach or mentor any student of any age! This is a disgraceful abuse of power and it should be stopped!

Penn State Alumni, 1983, disgusted by these coaches.

Fire their assess and see about criminal charges!!!!!

There is a fine line between pushing hard and abuse. This sounds like abuse.

Stop the abuse that is brought in by coaches that have athletes too scared to talk!! Suicide attempts at the hands of the coaches should scream coaches dismissal!! Penn State football 2.0!! I feel sorry for those girls and that God I was able to have a coach who cared about us no matter what!!

My daughter was a gymnast her all her young life... she is now 29. She had the best club coach, who became her high school coach. She didn't want to participate in college, she was state 4A champ. If there is a problem, investigate...no truth to any of it, no problem. The school has an obligation to thoroughly investigate. Look what happened with the football program.