Todd Woodcroft in 2019.Photo:Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images
Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images
The University of Vermont has fired its men’s hockey coach Todd Woodcroft over “inappropriate text messages” with a student.
Woodcroft was “relieved of his duties” effective immediately after the university conducted an internal investigation on Tuesday.
According to astatementfrom the Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman, Woodcroft engaged in “inappropriate text messages with a UVM student on multiple occasions that failed to maintain professional boundaries.”
No further details were released about Woodcroft’s specific conduct.
Never miss a story — sign up forto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter
University of Vermont in Burlington.Getty Images
Getty Images
Assistant coach Steve Wiedler has been appointed interim head coach for the upcoming 2023-2024 season.
“Earlier today, I met with the Men’s Hockey team to inform them of my decision and to introduce Steve Wiedler as interim head coach for the 2023-2024 season," Schulman continued in his statement. “The team and I have tremendous confidence in Coach Wiedler’s ability to successfully lead our program. He has played a major role in the recruitment and development of our current players and will step into this important role with the full support of our team and his Athletic Department colleagues.”
According to theUniversity of Vermont Athletics website,Schulman was appointed to the director role in 2016. Wiedler’s name, meanwhile, has already replaced Woodcroft’s on the faculty list.
On Tuesday, Woodcroft’s attorney Andrew Miltenberg released a statement on the university’s decision to terminate Woodcroft’s employment.
“We vehemently disagree with the process and the findings of a proceeding that lacked fundamental fairness and due process. We strongly believe the University’s decision was contrary to the facts and the law," Miltenberg said, perCNN.
The statement added that they “intended to pursue justice” for Woodcroft, who they claim has “been an outstanding coach and community advocate for over two decades.”
Per the outlet, Woodcroft was hired as the University of Vermont’s fifth head coach in April 2020 and led the Catamounts to a 20-55-9 record over three seasons. He previously was an assistant coach with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and worked with the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings as a scouting director and professional scout.
source: people.com
