"Motivational, and helped our player gain confidence and want to keep going back to clinics. Staff was great. Direct and clear. Personable and family orientated. "

"One of the most knowledgeable coaches I have been around. Develops and teaches the game at a high level. Develops culture and works for consistency in human/athlete on and off the field. Is honest, direct, and overly communicates during practices so there is clear understanding of game IQ and why skills are being taught. Expectation is high, positive attitudes, high work ethic. Will not tolerate poor body language or lack in teammate ability. Will play those most consistent day to day at practice. "

"Positive, Develops. Cares about person, student, athlete. Staff stayed at work to listen to my daughter’s presentation that she had the next day to allow her to practice in front of an audience. Beautiful holiday dinners, hosted home dinners, goal setting, community engagement, team building activities. To my knowledge she also championed the new branding in the women’s locker room area, along with all major upgrades the program has received the last few years, which hasn’t happened in decades. Program was elevated under her. Staff was dedicated, committed, and were true community members. "

"Staff went above and beyond to try to create a better culture and environment. Taught the game, helped develop players to be ready for professional life. Gave many opportunities of growth to help with resumes, learn about financial literacy, and many other off field a**s to help in life and the field. Cares about academics, which some of my teammates thought was odd, but I think a coach should care about us more than just softball. Hosted dinners, holiday gatherings, community service, encouraged us to support other athletic programs and community initiatives. If you wanted to put in the extra work and do what was being asked, then you’d understand there was a staff trying to elevate the program and create a winning environment."

"I was not recruited by Coach Whitney but had the opportunity to play for her. I agree she is “old school” meaning she expects the most out of her players and understands the importance of her team “buying in.” Some complain about the coaching during at bats, but as a player I feel that’s how we were able to make adjustments mid-at bat, when other teams weren’t able to. If she sees something that can be adjusted, she makes a comment, and it really helps! When you’re not coachable or under prepared, if feels like a critique or attack, rather than support and encouragement. I’ve been reading these anonymous posts and it shocks me how two people can view the same exact situation and look at it complete differently. Never once did I feel coach Whitney’s words or actions were abusive. Whenever she held us accountable, the ones who rebelled or the ones who constantly made excuses always found a way to flip blame onto Coach. During the recruiting process I was told that Coach Whitney is constantly looking to help her players grow. To see complaints about making adjustments with the swing just goes to show how uncoachable some of my teammates were. They had the “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” mentality at the D1 level. Isn’t that crazy? Imagine getting mad at your coach for helping you improve your swing? I had a great overall experience with coach. Her and her family were nothing but welcoming to ALL of us, regardless of how coach Whitney was treated by some players. I didn’t always have my family around and I couldn’t always make it home for holidays so this meant a lot to me. She is a coach beyond the field and cares about her players so much. "

"My daughter just informed me that coach Whitney resigned from URI. As I searched for the article I came across this site. I just have to say, I am blown away at some of the comments and posts. But I’m also happy to see that several comments captured who Coach Whitney is as a person and as a coach pretty accurately. It’s very clear that some people have no business playing D1 softball. Coach is arguable one or the best players to ever play in the Atlantic 10, and her coaching history speaks for itself. What she did in one year as an interim at Amherst College was very impressive. Followed by a great career at WPI. I see several comments referencing the “hazing” incident. What they all failed to mention is the university found absolutely no wrongdoing on coach Whitney’s behalf, as well as her family. Her and her family have been know to open up their homes to the teams, to create a family-like environment. And trust me, I looked into this incident EXTENSIVELY before sending my daughter to play for coach Whitney. If you actually took the time to read about the case, apparently the team was enjoying a fun day at Whitney’s family’s home when one of the girls slipped and fell into the pool and was injured. She claimed that an upperclassman pushed her, which I’m not sure of the details there, but I can assure you I’ve seen this happen a ton of times at team parties over the years, and my instinct as a parent would never be to blame the coach, or classify it as “hazing.” I agree with previous comments that coach Whitney lives and breathes softball. Based on our experiences, this is very true. She is very organized, disciplined, and expects the same from her players. After hearing about many of the ins and outs as a parent of a player, pretty clear who’s writing these messages and it’s also clear how much is exaggerated and a lot of what I’ve read is just blatant lies. Ironically, the ones complaining are the ones who didn’t get the playing time they wanted. If you Google Coach Whitney’s name, you’ll also read articles about the multiple programs she’s turned around as a head coach. Every program she’s coached improved significantly during her tenure. It’s really sad to see players and parents who could hack it get on a public forum and try to portray something that is so far from the truth. And I feel compelled to say something about the “abuse” allegations. As a coach, using the term “square between the eyes with accountability” is NOT threatening to hit a player in the face. I agree with other comments that the claims are comical. Did my daughter get all the playing time she wanted? No! Did she have difficult times throughout college? Yes! So does pretty much every college student. My daughter saw first hand how players would just jump on the bandwagon even when claims were not true. And she found this to be very concerning and spoke to me about what her teammates were doing, all out of spite. I didn’t believe a lot of it until I actually really read this page. I am not saying Coach Whitney is perfect, no coach is, but she was an incredible leader, role model, and support for my daughter. I know how much it meant to her that coach Whitney and her family opened up their home to the team and to see their kindness and generosity thrown back in their face is so sad to see, especially as a parent. Based on what my daughter has shared, it was very clear that there were some players that had no business playing D1 softball, but Whitney inherited the team and did everything she could to have them “buy in”. She was big on that. And unfortunately some players lacked respect, discipline, and in some cases the skill needed to play at that level. What we witnessed was pure retaliation from players who weren’t happy and weren’t getting the playing time they wanted. I’m so sad to see it come to this. Our family really hopes to see coach Whitney coach again somewhere where she is appreciated and valued. "

"Whitney has dedicated her life to the game of softball. She is incredibly knowledgable, experienced, and has high expectations, which, is in fact, everything an athlete could want in a coach if they want to play at a high level. As I read through these posts, it looks highly sensationalized. The complaints posted sounds *nothing* like Whitney as a coach or person. She holds herself and her position as a coach to a high standards. She eats, sleeps, and breathes softball. Being a parent, you always want to defend your child, and that is super justifiable; however, you also have to accept your child's capabilities and limitations. Sometimes parents and/or their child aren't ready for D1, and that's okay, but you have to accept that and figure out other options that fit you best. I didn't love my D1 experience (admittedly, I probably wasn't ready for D1) but was it good for me? ABSOLUTELY!!! There was a time where my dad had written a letter to our coach, and never sent it. I handled it myself and learned hard skills like assertive communication, and speaking up for yourself, which is what I wish more players could do these days, rather than having their parents fight their battles that they weren't prepared for (ie. how to handle adversity and conflict when you leave home). So now there are bitter parents and players coming on here to take down a really exceptional person, coach, mom, and wife, ....and her parents?!?! It sounds to me like the players who Whitney inherited are upset and throwing a fit because Whitney was trying to improve the level of softball at URI, much like she tried to at WPI, which is not what they signed up for; they signed up to play mediocre softball and didn't want to grow or be challenged. Whitney is one of the most passionate and professional coaches I have known. I would want my daughter to play for and learn from her, because I have taught my daughter that in order to get better at something, you have to work really hard, and be coachable. Both things that you need at this level. "

"It’s becoming comical reading these posts. Anyone who knows Whitney, her coaching staff, and her family knows she is a great asset to our game and coaching field. She is professional, organized, sees someone’s full potential, and holds them accountable. Her successful playing and coaching career speak for itself. And in the short time she was at Rhode Island she’s has helped on and off the field with upgrades, winning, and attempting to change a culture which clearly we can all see the challenge in that reading the above lunatic posts. Playing time isn’t equal, throwing balls away every other throw doesn’t equate to playing time. Being late to practices with self centered attitudes and the ability not to be consistent day to day doesn’t warrant this disgusting page. If pitchers can’t hit their spots and/or throw strikes with precision and movement, that doesn’t grant playing time. Please move on, maybe you should speak to your children about working harder, becoming better humans and softball players, and you as the parent should stay out of it. No one wants to watch you demonstrate hitting from the stands. These posts are exactly what is wrong with our sport youth. We should be striving to set our best example through successes and failures. Have accountability, standards are ok, and being held to that should be desired and welcome."

"Coach Whitney is a great coach in all facets. I’ve seen a lot of tags on here saying “she’s too old school or too tough” She is what it takes to be a successful college coach. If you cannot handle that, that is your problem. She is honest and hard on us because all she wants is to see us succeed. I would not pick a better coach for me in my years at URI. She is the encouragement i need while away from home and the person i credit for my improvements on and off the field. There is no need to tear her down and affect her like this just because you couldn’t handle what she said to you."