University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point)

"As a parent, I have become increasingly concerned about the direction and culture of this soccer program. One of the most troubling issues is the apparent lack of emphasis on recruiting and developing highly motivated student-athletes. Many players do not seem to demonstrate the level of commitment, discipline, or passion that should be expected in a collegiate athletic environment. Instead, there appears to be a culture where social activities and partying are prioritized over athletic development and team success. I have also heard concerns regarding players violating team rules, including drinking the night before games. I am equally concerned about the leadership within the program. The coach often appears more focused on being friends with players than maintaining the professional boundaries that should exist between coaches and student-athletes. There have been instances where conversations and topics discussed with players seemed inappropriate for a coach-player relationship. Additionally, there have been concerns raised regarding manipulative behavior when disagreements arise or when situations do not go as expected. What is especially disappointing is that, given the coach’s experience and accomplishments, I expected a significantly higher standard of coaching and player development. Instead, I have observed training sessions focused on basic fundamentals such as heading, passing, and trapping—skills that many competitive players typically master long before reaching the collegiate level. Professionalism has also been a concern. The use of profanity around athletic facilities and reports of strained relationships with other members of the institution do not reflect the standard many parents expect from someone leading a college program. There is a perception that accountability for the program’s performance is lacking and that there is little incentive for meaningful improvement. From a soccer perspective, the team’s style of play appears simplistic and underdeveloped. Rather than a structured system that teaches players how to read the game, build possession, and develop tactically, the approach often resembles recreational-level soccer that relies heavily on simply sending the ball forward. As a parent investing significant time, money, and trust into my child’s collegiate experience, I expected an environment that would challenge players, help them grow, and prepare them for success both on and off the field. These concerns are not based on a single incident but rather on a pattern of observations and conversations with other parents, alumni, and individuals familiar with the program. My hope is that these issues are taken seriously and that meaningful changes can be made to better serve the student-athletes who dedicate so much to representing the school. "

"She has played at highest levels and she doesn’t treat you differently if you win or lose. She cares about people. Has bi weekly meetings with players where we can talk about anything. "

"Coach Matt is by far one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. He is knowledgeable about all the throwing events and is consistently trying to learn new techniques and tricks to help his athletes. He loves trying out new ideas but never wavers from the basics. Coach Matt is always accessible and is a great communicator both for scheduling and technical corrections. "

"Brett Witt picks out and chooses his favorite athletes. If you are not a 400m or 800m runner OR you don’t score points at conference, you can expect zero help from him. He is brutally honest and doesn’t care about how his word's can affect others. His communication skills are rather poor and when he makes a mistake he does not take responsibility for his actions. Aside from Brett Witt, the rest of the assisting coaching staff has been good. I firmly believe that if Brett Witt doesn’t address his problems the coaching staff will all leave due to poor leadership."

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