University of Idaho volleyball players allege abuse by head coach Chris Gonzalez

MOSCOW, Idaho (KLEW) — Allegations of abuse, physical, mental, and emotional, coming from over a dozen University of Idaho volleyball players against Head Coach Chris Gonzalez.

At least 13 players co-signed the 11-page complaint alleging things such as body shaming and poor injury management, among other things.

Emma Patterson, a junior and transfer from the University of Alaska- Anchorage to U of I ahead of the 2023 season.

She says something seemed off with the coaching, beginning with one of her first practices.

"The way he was talking to girls. The way he was just trying to instill complete and utter control through fear, was really not something I'd ever experienced. And I've had hard coaches, I've had people who are heavy on discipline," Patterson said.

However, this was not the first time the university received a formal complaint against Gonzalez.

The first being filed in 2022.

Patterson says she has heard and read the accounts from other players.

"Trying to withhold food, and not feeding players correctly, because in his head we weren't skinny enough. The team was built like linebackers is what he said, pushing the girls to the ground," Patterson said.

Former Lewiston high school volleyball player, Julia Dickeson was a Vandal for Gonzalez's first season, 2022.

That left her unsure about college volleyball.

"When we started like going through practices but we were like this is weird but we kind of thought it what it was like to be a student athlete and it wasn't until we had further conversations with some of the older girls on the team. We realized this isn't what it's like to be a student-athlete, this isn't a normal type of a thing," Dickeson said.

When the 2022 complaint went, in the player’s eyes, unanswered, it was disheartening for members of the team.

"It was kind of hard for us going into this year as well knowing that we tried to go to someone who is supposed to have our backs and who was supposed to support us," Dickeson said.

According to Patterson.

"When we started it was very much wanting a change and wanting protection," Patterson said.

A sentiment Dickeson agrees could be a successful resolution.

"Having more of a support system for our student-athletes is probably one of the most important things for me. Being able to know that as a student-athlete you can go to someone higher up and be heard and be listened to,” Dickeson said.

Now, with a future-focused mindset, Patterson says a change in coaching would do more towards the goal of changing the culture of UI Volleyball.

"We're this far in, we started an investigation, multiple girls have opted out of practice and are not coming to practice anymore. It's one of those things where he needs to be gone now. If we want a successful volleyball program, if we want a coach who treats players like people, he’s not the answer,” Patterson said.

The university denied Klew News' records requests for any other formal complaints filed against the coach.

University of Idaho Executive Director of Communications, Jodie Walker told KLEW News that the University will not be taking interviews but, in an email, said this about the investigation.

"There is no definitive date for the investigation to conclude. The investigators have contacted dozens of people for interviews and are working expeditiously. We are committed to a timely, but fair, and thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the student-athletes [have] a variety of support services offered to them to help them navigate this challenging time," Walker wrote.

Walker also said that Coach Gonzalez has not been placed on leave.

We reached out to Coach Gonzalez as well, he says he cannot comment as the investigation is ongoing.

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