Rutgers University has launched an external investigation into the gymnastics program following multiple allegations of mistreatment against head coach Umme Salim-Beasley.
The investigation comes in the wake of a series of complaints from former gymnasts, who claim that Salim-Beasley created a toxic environment during her tenure, which began in 2018.
The allegations also implicate former Athletic Director Pat Hobbs, who resigned citing health reasons but was reportedly dismissive when gymnasts brought their concerns to him.
Brayden Battavio, one of seven former gymnasts who spoke out, expressed cautious optimism about the investigation.
“I’m relieved people are actually doing something, and the truth can finally come out,” said Battavio. However, they remain fearful, stating, “I’m scared that everything is going to be for nothing, and they’re just going to overlook it since it has gotten to this point before and [Salim-Beasley] always seems to get out of things.”
The former athletes have accused Hobbs of consistently defending Salim-Beasley, despite their repeated complaints.
Nailah Adams, another former gymnast, met with Hobbs and Salim-Beasley earlier this year but felt the meeting did not address their concerns.
“With Pat Hobbs gone, the truth can finally be revealed because he was protecting her the whole time,” Adams said.
To ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, Rutgers retained the law firm Lowenstein Sandler, with former New Jersey state comptroller Matthew Boxer leading the inquiry.
Boxer previously conducted probes into other controversies at Rutgers, including the university’s softball program and neurosurgeon Dr. Anil Nanda. The investigation, expected to cost at least $470,000, will include a $50,000 retainer and monthly fees of $225,000 for the first month, which will decrease to $195,000 for subsequent months.
University President Jonathan Holloway emphasized the seriousness of the investigation in a letter to Rutgers’ governing boards.
“This review will ensure that any and all concerns raised about the program have been thoroughly reviewed, determine whether appropriate follow-up steps were taken, identify reasons for any potentially insufficient responses, and recommend areas where additional steps may be necessary,” Holloway wrote. The investigation will also scrutinize the culture of the gymnastics program and aim to address any systemic issues uncovered.
Holloway promised transparency, stating that the investigation’s recommendations will be made public. The external investigation is viewed as a crucial step toward accountability, with the gymnasts hoping it will result in Salim-Beasley’s removal.
“This is about the safety, health, and mental well-being of all our students,” Holloway noted, underlining the university’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for student-athletes.
As the investigation progresses, many are left questioning why the university was initially insistent that Hobbs’ resignation was solely due to health reasons, despite the internal investigation into his conduct.
“Why was Rutgers so vehement in its insistence that Hobbs had stepped away for health reasons when an investigation was underway?” wrote Steve Politi, the sports columnist for NJ Advance Media. “Was the university so desperate to protect itself from potential litigation that it misled the community about the circumstances that led Hobbs to leave?”
Salim-Beasley, who was ranked the top coach in the “1-4 years as a head coach” category in 2022 by College Gym News, led the Rutgers gymnastics program to a record-breaking year in 2023. Despite the accolades and achievements under her leadership, former gymnasts maintain that the internal culture of the program was far from healthy, and that their repeated attempts to seek help from Hobbs and the university were ignored.
With Hobbs now out of the picture, the gymnasts hope this investigation will finally bring to light the alleged mistreatment they endured and lead to meaningful changes within the program. For many, this probe is the last chance for the university to take their concerns seriously and address the underlying issues that have persisted for years.