Waking on the heels of a 10-20 season, with a record of 0-8 in conference, the Oswego State women’s volleyball team knew it would be in for a change in the 2011 season. However, it was the severity of the change that had been underestimated.
Old coaches leaving and new coaches surfacing are changes that most teams can transition into easily. But in a case when veterans are cut, causing others to quit, a team of entirely new faces has to be ushered in – resulting in a whole new era of Oswego State volleyball.
After spending 10 years coaching at Oswego State former coach Pat Hanlon decided to retire from her position saying that “she had grandchildren and felt that it was time,” according to former captain Katie van Kessel.
Anytime a position is vacant, it needs to be quickly filled in preparation for the following season. Betsy Hayden, the former volleyball and softball coach at Onondaga Community College, was selected to fill that spot.
“It’s great to be working with such a hardworking group of girls who have fun personalities and lots of success ahead of them,” Hayden said.
For a program that expected a change in coaching staff, it certainly did not expect to have a team comprised of 10 newcomers, referring to those who have never experienced the preparation and dedication that goes into a Division III collegiate athletic contest.
The young group of girls consists of one junior, three sophomores, six freshmen and no seniors.
A challenge as daunting as this could seem insurmountable to any team, but the coach has faith in her new squad.
“I definitely have confidence in this young team,” Hayden said. “I’m not concerned because the work ethic is there. We need to eliminate the peaks and valleys which come with their youth.”
What would surprise most people is how a 2010 team with mostly sophomores and juniors can turn into a 2011 team with mostly freshmen and sophomores.
Tryouts this season were highly competitive and all of the players, the ten returners included, knew that they had to come to the gym and compete at the highest possible level at all times.
As all coaches do, Hayden has the final decision as to who stays and who goes. Tryouts lasted for three days; the first session was held on Friday, Aug. 26. Throughout that weekend, players were tested on not only their volleyball skills and fundamentals, but a fitness test as well.
When tryouts came to a close on Sunday, Aug. 28, Hayden ultimately had decided that van Kessel and four other returners (junior Brittany Jones, junior Courtney Price, junior Stephany Olsheski and senior Morgan Grimes) would not best fit the team this year.
“It was devastating…the girls were crushed that their family had been ripped in two,” van Kessel said.
With five veterans having been cut, only five remained to make the most out of an emotional situation.
According to van Kessel, the other five attempted to tough it out because they wanted to keep the team alive and they love volleyball.
The first test to the new season came only two days afterward when the Lakers played in a scrimmage. The five returning upperclassmen thought it felt unusual on the court.
“They told me that nothing felt the same,” van Kessel said. “They described it as an entirely different atmosphere in the gym.”
Two days later the remaining players from the 2010 roster went to Hayden and quit.
With only 10 players remaining on the roster for the remainder of the season, the women’s volleyball team had taken on an even tougher task than originally planned.
On Thursday, Sept. 1, it was time to move on, work with what was at hand, and continue preparation for the regular season. The first step was taken when Hayden named sophomore Meaghan Puff the captain for the 2011 volleyball campaign.
“Being named a sophomore captain was nerve-racking, but my goal is to bring everyone together and find a common meeting point so we can work as a team to achieve our goals,” Puff said.
Aside from hard work, no matter the sport, team chemistry is crucial.
“We all love each other…are super close…have each other’s back, and off the court we are amazing friends,” Puff said.
After the Potsdam Invitational took place during the second weekend in September, the Lakers were excited after winning the final game in the tournament against Cazenovia College. Helping her team to victory was freshman standout Kara Michelsen, who recorded 21 assists accompanied by four kills. These numbers, along with others throughout the weekend earned Michelsen the honor of being named to the All-Tournament team.
Unfortunately, this past week the Lakers dropped their fifth game of the year to St. John Fisher putting their record at 1-5. But optimism runs high, as they will attempt to improve their record this weekend in Schenectady, N.Y. when they play in the Union College Invitational.
“We’re working so hard and still adjusting…and at times, they’re amazing to watch,” Hayden said.
Now depending on the perspective, mixed emotions can be found all over the events that have transpired in the three weeks since campus opened. Ramifications can be felt from all angles.
For a group of 10 girls, competitive volleyball careers have come to an end and in the process an athletic family has ceased to exist.
52 COMMENTS
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Cutting Katie van Kessel – senior, captain, and an amazing player (look at the highlights from years past) and the other veterans was a STUPID mistake. What a way to start as a coach – Hayden should be fired. Hopefully, she’s on probation and will be let go. Also, besides being a stupid decision because they are great players, it was cruel to cut juniors and seniors.
Is this for real? You might want to check out the real reasons why every returning player left.
Looks like a edited version that the College released, as the conduct by this coach will not go away. Even if it comes down to an outside source to step-in. Right now the College is doing an internal investigation on this coach. There are many reasons that Hayden was let go at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, just ask any V-ball Coach in Onondaga County (Syracuse).
This matter is not over and has only started untill justice has been served.
It would be interesting to know the real reasons the 2010 team was torn apart. Their skill level far outweighed the incoming freshman and it would be interesting to know what happened at OCC and why the current coach left…or did she.What a travesty on the part of the athletic department for hiring someone like this. The whole situation is disgusting and should be addressed by the administration. The real story needs to be told.
I agree! She is making Oswego look really bad. I want to hear the from the Administration. This cannot be allowed to happen! This “coach” needs to GO – and soon.
I’ll bet the story that will come out of the local media Oswego city, Syracuse Newspapers and YNN will have a whole different take on this then the college paper. Freedom of information law works everytime. Does this coach from cato really think that she will have a job in a Month? Most everyone knows her deal now, except her boss, but he is being educated, so its just a matter of time. the clock is ticking, Just like it did at OCC in Syracuse.
Coach must be living in a fantasy world, because the entire College knows what really happened and went on in that pre-season try-out. If thats what she calls it. How does a person like this slip through background checks?
Im am outraged by this this. All of the returners Should be on that team..They definately have the skill to be on that team.They “fit” that team better than the coach and oncoming players…
I have a great idea, lets have the President of the School meet with all 11 returning players that got cut or quit because they refuse to play for this whack job Hayden. Plus the one incoming freshmen that quit, now that makes 12. And since Mrs Stanley is the highest paid employee at the College at $220K, plus another 100K in NYS tax payer benefits, then she should be the judge. But first Mrs Stanley should call the President of Onondage Community College in Syracuse and ask her the reasons Betsey Hayden got fired as the Volleyball coach. Let me guess, inappropriate conduct with the student/athletes again! Do you see a pattern people?
So their record didn’t really improve now did it! Utica beat Oswego, and this hasn’t happened in the last 4 years. OMG administration what does it take for you to see what a horrible mistake it was to hire this person. She is an embarassment to Oswego, the community and the team. Her reputation for bad coaching and other problems is known throughout the area and even into Pennsylvania. Maybe the media does need to step in and bring this to everyone’s attention.
For those who have shown great interest in this story, I will be writing a follow-up story that will be featured in this upcoming issue of The Oswegonian. I will be meeting with the majority of the 10 volleyball players who were expected to be on this year’s roster and I’m sure they will have something to say about why they didn’t return to the team this year. For anybody who has any information regarding this story, please feel free to email me at mkraft@oswegonian.com.
She was fired for stealing money and mistreating the student athletes at OCC.She was also fired from Wells college and Cato High school for stealing money. I really hope the Athletic department will do the right thing and fire her ASAP! She is bad news!!! She is not a good coach. Those 11 girls that should have been on the team this year lost out on what could have been a very successful season. Is this how Oswego want’s to be portrayed?!?
She is full of crap! She doesn’t know how to develop players or teams. If she wanted to focus on positive energy then why cut 5 returning players which included a senior captain? I understand the team is young but they are far less talented than the players she could have had. Its completely embarrassing as an Oswego Alumni to even be associated with this buffoon.
This is a disgrace to OSU volleyball… Girls on the team now: i know what ur going thru. Hayden was my coach att OCC and i transferred to OSU for an unforgettable junior & senior year. im in shock and i wish u all the best this season and every season after. To cut veterans is an embarassment on the coach. Karma will be back 🙂
This woman only took girls she felt she could control, and manipulate. Any girl that could easily see she has little knowlege and skill in volleyball at the collegiate level was cut for “badd attitudes”. These girls are some of the greatest kids around. There were no clicks on that team. Didn’t even tell the girls her sketchy “assisant coach” was her husband,(who has since made inappropriate comments in front of the team). This article is bogus of the highest degree. She tried to confine the girls to their dorm rooms during preseason, and has actively ADMITTED to them that she “listens behind doors” and “pays attention to who hangs out with who” and “sees who rides home with who” which all affect who made the team and who didn’t. Very little volleyball skill was tested during tryouts, for 2 reasons: 1. She is not very versed in advanced team offense, advanced team defense, or anything else at non-junior school level. and 2. She was not picking the team based upon skill at at all. Only about who would shut up and do everything wrng that she asked without challenging her. Why doesnt somebody ask her why she was asked to leave the referee job in the area???????? Actually, don’t ask her, it will be just another lie.
These girls live for volleyball, It takes more than just a sucky coach to get them to quit. Nobody is telling their actual story. CENSORSHIP!
They only took her beacuse the other candidiate (who was very qualified) was a male. They wanted a woman. This tends to be a common theme at OSU athletics (past softball coach canidates??????) I would like to remind the administration (even though you’d never admit it) that it is called gender discrimination and it’s illegal. I personally know BOTH of the canidates that were interviewed, and you FAR AND AWAY picked the sour lemon instead of the professional.
Well, OSU administration, you made your bed, now lie in it. Have fun with all the internal investigations going on OVER your heads as we speak.
I heard she stole from the referee organization too for Seneca county. And how does a brand new girl to the team of that same day clear the NCAA clearinghouse to be eligible to play sports???
She did steal money from the reffing organization, I believe it was the Syracuse one. I am not positive how 2 players who didn’t even try out for the team were able to play the first match. It seems a little strange to me. She also violated some NCAA rules. She held 3 practices in one day with a paid coach at each session. Her and her husband also made inappropriate sexual comments in front of some of the girls. This woman should be in jail. Oswego State better watch their pockets.
it definitely was the finger lakes reffing board because the syracuse board wouldnt accept her as a member.
and as a former coach at occ i hate that my reputation is linked to her.
Well maybe it was fingers lakes, but I know for a fact that she was stealing money from the Syracuse board as well. This was a few years back. I know several people on the Syracuse board who have confirmed this. She definitely was a ref and was was claiming she was a higher ranked official so that she could get paid more. She would fill out her paperwork so that it said she was higher ranked. I’m sure she did the same thing for the finger lakes board!
I also played for Hayden at OCC. I know all about her.
Really now, Hayden is the Oswego State Coach? Can’t even imagine anyone would hire her
after what she did to the players at Onondaga Community College that got her in deep do-do
and they let her go. Put it this way, she broke every Coach rule that could be and put the players at risk. Hale must not of done his home work and checked her history, because its all there. Since she knew she would never get hired again in New York State, she went out of State for a Job in Delaware, then to PA. Must be she thought no one would remember her if she came back. Looks like she is back to her old devil self, no rules and she is the judge. Looks like her old demons have come out again. Keep up the good fight players, this devil is going down. Justice will prevail!
I am just wondering if Athletic Department at Oswego State cares at all about who they higher on their staff. Obviously not with the resent coaching addition to the volleyball team. Holly cow! Are you kidding me. You guys really did your homework adding Hayden to your staff. Did you get her from a work release program? I have seen her actions in person. My daughter played for Hayden at OCC and the only lasting memory that she left with me is that she is a whacked out individual. For example: When her OCC team lost in the semi finals of the National Championships, instead of congratulating her players for having a great season by ending up in the top 4 in the county, she throws a temper tantrum and starts calling her players names and even throws the med kit at them. That was only the beginning. Hayden was so upset that the OCC team didn’t win the National Title that she refused to feed her players as their punishment for loosing. I am not kidding! The opposing teams parents felt so bad for the OCC girls that they bought them dinner while Hayden and her hubby sat in a corner, by themselves, stuffing their faces. I can’t imagine what happen to all the money that was allotted for the teams meals or what happen to all the food that was brought on the team bus if the girls weren’t allowed to eat it. Just sayin! You in the Athletic Department should be held to answer for this screw up. You simply gave Hayden a job because she had a fine looking resume. You didn’t do your jobs checking her out and now you are trying to sweep this under the carpet. That stuff won’t sweep. Try a shovel! Hayden background is a cluster of negative activity and now you have to live with it at Oswego State. You know what the sad part about this is? It’s not about Oswego State stupidly putting Hayden on staff with no background check, it’s not about Hayden and all her baggage, it’s about the volleyball team who were put through hell. It’s about the Senior players who’s last thought of Oswego State is they got railroaded and you, the administration, let it happen. You did nothing except take Hayden’s word and put the entire volleyball program in ruins. I hope the NCAA take a part in this!
The money all went to feed her and her family. I too had players who played for her at OCC, and they received little or nothing from the per diem to feed them on every trip.
Mr Hale, times up, you had a month. I know, you hoping to get to the end of the Volleyball season so you don’t have to pay TWO coaches. But “YOU” really are the problem at this point in time. You hired Hayden without checking her out period. Now you are just buying time to get to the end of the Volleyball season so you don’t have to go through the tryout process again. You people are sad, you make alot of money from NYS tax payers and this is what you have done in 30 days, nothing. Times up, time to call the dogs in and see what you all have to say then, right Mrs Stanley? Any NYS employee that said the things that hayden said to these young women, would of been suspended from their position until the matter was investigated. Anyone think the Syracuse newspapers or TV stations would be interested in this story? I’m thinking yes!
ATTENTION HAYDEN, you are an embarrassment to Oswego State Volleyball and to all the Student/Athletes. That includes the sorry team that you plucked together from the streets of
campus. Really, these players think they are good, pretty sad what Hale has done just to
have a team. This is as low as it gets, and everyone knows it. I feel sorry for the girls on the
team playing now, because they are looked at as scrub/scab players. Some are so out-of-shape and some are so bad that they could not even make a High School Varsity Team in most cases.
Lots of laker pride with this team, what a joke…………. Just wondering, what are these players going to do next year? because there will be a new coach, and there will be great players trying out next season, with a real tryout process. Not some creepy over weight coaches husband there either.
Yes, you all read these, Mr Hale, Mr sharfenburger, Mr Grant, Mrs Stanley and last and least, Hayden and her cato clan. what you all think? From OCC to Millsville? yes, another College
has a few folks that have a Hayden story also. And its not a good thing, so yes, we are all waiting.
CHECK THIS OUT! Oswego is now deleting posts, yes sensorship> we will write what they can’t delete. go to syracuse.com on Oswego St forum. i WROTE a post and also read another yesterday that is no longer on this. WOW, Hayden should never be allowed to coach any youth sports at any level.
Cato-clan really scary…….. small town wanna bee…….
Hey Hale and all you other overpaid state employees at oswego, $100,000. plus for what? really, no wonder this state is in deep trouble. how in the world does this happen, an AD from fairport works at oswego less than 10 yrs and makes 100k? sad.
CAN’T DELETE THESE POSTS OSWEGO STATE ADMIN! EVERYONE, GO TO THE FOLLOWING http://www.syracuse.com/forums/oswegocollege They can’t sensor posts there, plus
if they dont do the right thing for the volleyball team and get rid of hayden, they will have to
answer to all. Freedom of information act works great.
Mr Mike Craft,
Your comments below said you will be writing a follow-up with the 12 players that got cut or quit the team because they refuse to play for Hayden because of her conduct. When will this happen? As you have spoke to them and “have” wrote Haydens side of her story. Seems only fair to tell
both sides. Why don’t you ask Hayden why she was “let go” at OCC in Syracuse ? I’ll bet she won’t tell you. Hummmmmmmmmmmm
Why are all the posts being removed? I read some yesterday that are not on today?
DID HAYDEN GET FIRED TODAY? 9-26 Can anyone confirm or deny it with any truth? Any one hear that? you should be ok to post tonight, as they will delete these posts when they come in in the moring to work. its “9pm” they have deleted 6-posts in 2-days
I sure hope so? Who will they get to coach for the rest of the season? What about the girls that are already on the team? It’s not their fault that Hayden is a wack job and made a mess of all this. I feel sorry for all the girls involved (girls on and off the team). This whole season has been a joke thanks to her. They have a game tonight, I wonder what will happen?
Do the right thing for the volleyball team..Fire Hayden and bring the team back that deserve to play..Morgan Grimes ..senior player jersey #1
Still waiting for answers…Bring all returners back please.
Betsy Hayden was fired last night
Any details?
It has been confirmed that Betsy Hayden was fired as head volleyball coach following SUNYAC pool play at Buffalo State over the weekend. At this time we have no further information to report. Kaylin Brainerd has been named interim head coach.
so glad she is gone!!!!!
Thats okay, I already printed them out for future scraping if needed. You going to delete this
to? LOL to funny,,,,,,, It is called sensorship!
So Hayden got Fired, but it took 30-days? One sentence email from Hale, thats it? no apology?
no sorry for what we put you through? no offering of the 12-players to come back? This is almost as bad as what Hayden did? Must be Hale is happy with the teams success and their current record? Can’t be to interested in winning, as most of theses players would not start on most high school teams. Yes, they are really bad v-ball players, not all, but yes, most of them.
Let me get this straight, you send a one sentence email saying Hayden is no longer at Oswego and thats it?
We would hope that Oswego does the right thing, but looks like not, so what a great story this will make.
Yes, we all know you read all these, as you should, now its your move, so make the right one?
Really, an email? I would of thought that the President of the School would have this entire
group of players in to offer their apology and let them all know how sorry the College is for what happened and that they are not back on the team.
And all the players they went out to get off the street, are gone, as they NEVER went through a try-out, process. You do have to go through try-out process, right? Or just raise your hand who ever
wants to play, friends, relatives, roomates, whom ever can make it. You got cut two years ago, last year, and also this year, thats three times you got cut. But now we want you to play so we can have a team, even if you lose every game.
Fix the injustice that was done Oswego?
Sensorship won’t work, can’t make truth go away when you keep deleting posts. They are
are not even bad for gods sake.
really, why would you delete posts?
The Oswego State Volleyball current team keeps accepting anyone that wants to or willing to walk on the team. The roster keeps building and building of girls who never tried out but can just hop on the team and play. This team has been the joke across New York. Girls that were cut three years in a row are asking to play and put on the team? This is just embarrassing. They need to put the old roster back on the team and at least get as many wins they can by the end of the season because the team now is not going to manage any wins ever. Not to pick out any players but numerous of them can barely fit in a jersey. Something needs to change.
why would kaylin brainerd be named head coach? she is not qualified to coach at NCAA school yet. Is she even 21? Is she getting paid? Has she ever coached before? High School
Varsity or other college? And if Hayden brought her in, then she needs to go also? What is her coaching background? really oswego state? is this for real? is she the cheap way out?
OK for all the idiots out there who are completely whacked out of their minds, two things are at fault here. For one, we are not CENSORING any articles (spell it right if you’re going to accuse something) or deleting posts. Second, if you’re going to criticize someone, learn some proper grammar. I realize this is the Internet and that’s probably too much to ask, but we are a respectable paper here, not a blog. Thank you for your time, which you apparently have quite a lot of…
Ok then why pull the article that was ready to print….
Thank you for confirming that Hayden was fired. And, thank you for spelling “censorship” correctly. That was driving me nuts. To all the Volleyball Players Out There at SUNY Oswego – good luck, and be patient. It is a shame that this has happened, yet there will be good out of the result that she is gone.
Check it out! Oswego State sensorship, as they wrote the last blog on the page and closed it so no
one else could write anything. Thats the blog with the headline that says ” Hayden dismised” .
ITs really funny how the Parents of the players that are on the volleyball team now, by default only,
are saying how the 12-players that quit or got cut are so bad and all the other stuff thats listed.
But its ok for you to write the same stuff? So these are “FACTS” that you can’t change as they are the real things that are history. 1.Hayden got fired for her conduct and nasty behavior. just like her other coaching jobs she got fired at. 2. The only reason that 7 of the players are on the roster today, is by default. 3. The skill level of most all of the players, is very low, everyone sees that
at the games. Doesn’t make them a bad person, just FACTS! 4. When try-outs happen next year,
maybe 2-4 players from team now make it. No one else is at the level they need to be. 5. Everyone knows the situation and in the end, the truth prevails. Last, good luck to all, because you all need
a job when you get out. Think About it!
I totally agree with you. The unfortunate part is for the seniors who will never get that chance because of Hayden!