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"Diabolical. Every single day was one threat after another. If you ask any non-gymnast on campus, they'll tell you the team is a cult. Do not be fooled by the fake smiles on social media...girls having panic attacks and throwing up before practice. All the girls have to match at practice or they get screamed at. The coach's also coach rec and a high school varsity team and they overlap, so the team is alone a lot and "run" by the older girls which is a disaster. You have to be their favorite or forget it, there is constant bullying. The coach has a lot of money and likes to throw it around. She buys them expensive leotards and tells them that no one else will want them! She also talks bad about other coach's which is wild...no one does that, but it's probably because she's afraid they'll leave. She has no idea how to spot and never lays a hand on the girls to help...it's just a disaster there and every word is a lie. "

"I was initially excited to play for her given her success as a player however I quickly learned great players don't always make good coaches. I was expecting to be coached and game to improve under her coaching but I actually regressed as man of my teammates feel the did too. We were coached like a U10 team. We had no strategy or tactical approach it was like kickball. In games we were often outcoached and never prepared to play. Wen we were getting outplayed she never made an adjustments at half time or in game. The players were always lame for their lack of effort she never too an accountably. She just did not prepare us well. She was always looking for reasons to cancel practice or leave early. She canceled a practice the a before a playoff game for no reason Also, her personnel decisions were not soccer based. We had at least 4 players who should have played big minutes but hardly ever played. I am not bitter as I am someone whop played big minutes but her decisions hurt he team. She plays favorites. If you are not a favorite or are not a certain type chances are you wont play. Aside from this she is just not a nice person. Now i do not need my coach to be nice but I need her to be competent, accountable and fair. She is none of those. She creates a toxic environment by her constant rants an belittling of players and telling players the have not earned her respect. She is just not a nice person. I am sad my career has ended and wish it ended with a ore positive experience. Love teammates just with my coach was more prepared and a decent person."

"Thank you, ODU, for finally listening to the athletes. For years, this program became an environment that many athletes dreaded being part of instead of one they were proud to represent. What should have been a place for growth, development, competition, and support became an exhausting and emotionally draining experience for so many players. This was not just about losing games. It was about leadership that failed the athletes. Players were pushed in ways that felt unsustainable, physically and mentally, with little regard for burnout, morale, or overall well-being. Instead of feeling developed and supported, many athletes felt unheard, discouraged, and constantly questioning themselves. Being a student-athlete is already demanding enough without feeling like the very environment meant to help you succeed is working against you. The emotional toll of that kind of culture affects confidence, performance, academics, and the overall college experience in ways people outside the program may never fully understand. Coaching changes are never easy, but sometimes they are necessary. ODU women’s lacrosse deserves leadership that develops athletes, builds a healthy culture, and creates a program players are proud to be part of—not one they are simply trying to survive. For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful for the future of this program and proud to be a Monarch again."

"As the parent of a player who has been involved in softball for many years, I can honestly say that my daughter’s experience with this team was unlike any we have encountered before. Unfortunately, much of the season was overshadowed by ongoing drama, much of which appeared to originate within the coaching staff. The level of immaturity and lack of professionalism displayed by the coaching staff was deeply disappointing. In our experience, Coach Thompson seemed to prioritize winning above all else, often at the expense of the players’ health, overall well-being and development. Accountability was also a recurring concern, as responsibility for issues was frequently shifted elsewhere rather than addressed directly. Overall, we felt the coaching lacked the maturity, stability, leadership, honesty, and knowledge necessary to effectively guide and support young athletes at this level. I would also like to mention how disappointing Senior Night was for the girls and their families. Regardless of the weather, the dinner portion of the evening was always expected to take place, yet the event appeared poorly planned and unprepared. Basic items such as tablecloths, plates, utensils, and sufficient beverages were either missing or extremely limited. There was no main meal provided, and most if not all of the food served — macaroni salad, rolls, a vegetable and dip tray, a cheese tray and several desserts — had been brought by parents. The parents were to bring a side or dessert to go with the meal, which was NEVER provided. No explanation was ever given; only a brief “thanks for coming.” The few plates available ran out almost immediately, the single gallon of water was gone before most people had even eaten, and because no silverware was provided, dips and macaroni salad simply sat untouched. Many families either chose not to eat or improvised by using napkins, paper towels from the restroom, or container lids as plates. Had the coaches communicated any needs beforehand, I am confident the parents would have gladly helped provide what was necessary. Most importantly, it was heartbreaking to watch the seniors receive such a disorganized and underwhelming send-off after the time, effort, and dedication they had given to the program. "

"My experience playing under Coach Sharif Saber was one of the most damaging experiences of my life. I entered the program as a freshman excited to compete, grow, and be part of what should have been a supportive team environment, a home away from home. Instead, it became an environment marked by fear, favoritism, intimidation, and emotional exhaustion. By the middle of my sophomore year, approximately 75% of the freshman class I entered with had quit the program. That is not a statistic that should be ignored. This was not simply a matter of athletes being unable to handle the demands of college soccer. It reflected a culture that made many players feel unsafe, unsupported, and devalued. Coach Saber operated heavily through favoritism. If you were among the few players he chose to invest in, I can understand how your experience may have looked very different. But if you were not in that select group, you were often treated as though your effort, worth, and humanity held little value. Players were degraded, threatened with physical and verbal punishment, and routinely made to feel that fear was an acceptable coaching tool. Some people may argue that a coach’s primary job is to win games. But winning should never excuse the methods used to get there. Threats, intimidation, humiliation, and fear are not game-winning tactics, they are failures of leadership. The true measure of a coach is not just the scoreboard, but how they lead, develop, and influence the athletes placed under their care. It matters how a coach wins. In my college experience, the environment created under Coach Saber prioritized control over development, favoritism over fairness, and intimidation over mentorship. No athlete should have to fear the person responsible for guiding their growth. What made this experience even more troubling were the comments and attitudes that made it clear certain players were judged differently based on their background, upbringing, or identity. Those patterns were noticed, felt, and deeply damaging. A person in a position of authority over young women carries immense responsibility, and in my experience, Coach Saber was not fit for that responsibility. Soccer was something I loved deeply before college. My experience in this program did not strengthen that passion, it ruined it. No athlete should walk away from the sport they love feeling stripped of confidence, safety, or self-worth because of the culture created by a coach. If you are a prospective player, parent, or recruit researching this coach, I encourage you to look beyond records and wins. Ask former players difficult questions. Examine retention. Pay attention to culture. A winning record means very little if it comes at the expense of the wellbeing, dignity, and development of the athletes behind it."