A former Long Island University gymnast has stepped forward with a powerful message, joining the rising chorus of athletes against head coach Randy Lane. Multiple gymnasts, including Sydney Morris, Talia Folino, Katy Koopman, Jules Rider, Izzy Hilliard, and Alana Ricketts, have accused Lane and assistant coach Olivia Courtney of emotional and mental abuse. Some gymnasts have come forward anonymously with similar claims. The allegations reveal a toxic environment where coaches demeaned athletes, made false promises, and fostered mistrust among teammates, damaging the LIU Gymnastics program.

Thirty-year-old Syd Morris now finds herself in the spotlight, stating, “During all of our times at LIU, we have all experienced and witnessed emotional and mental abuse from Coach Randy Lane.” Her statement underscores the serious issues within the team. To support her, another former gymnast, Alex Skocic, shared her story, describing her personal experiences under Lane’s coaching. This story highlights the deep-rooted problems within the gymnastics program.

Allegations of mental and emotional abuse surface against LIU gymnastics coaches

Recently, Alex Skocic posted an open letter on Instagram, captioned, “This is my open letter about my experience on Long Island University’s gymnastics team. 3 long years later.” The post has set the internet on fire, with people supporting the athletes and condemning head coach Randy Lane for his inhumane treatment of former gymnasts. In her letter, she stated that she is “afraid even today” to post such things publicly. The young gymnast shared how their coach forced them to attend Zoom calls and threatened them. The letter revealed how the abusive practices severely affected her mental health and led 25 athletes to either transfer or retire from the program early.

Skocic’s participation was crucial, as her public reflections in an Instagram letter, hit out at the toxic atmosphere Lane’s coaching methods created. In that letter, she elaborately shared her horrible experience during quarantine, saying, “we were fed inadequately is an understatement”, when she only got some packets of random food. The worst part is that she developed a nervous tick problem and imposter syndrome because of the constant mental pressure. So, her letter has prompted a major response in gymnastics circles, with calls for an inquiry into the LIU program now coming from every quarter.

During his four-year tenure at LIU, Lane’s focus was solely on winning medals at the NCAA championships. His reputation diminished when one of the popular NCAA champion gymnasts, Sydney Morris, along with Alex Skocic and other gymnasts, accused Lane of mental abuse. During her time at LIU, she faced huge criticism from Lane and later reported, “When you have a coach who doesn’t support you, degrades you, makes false promises, starts drama, and makes your teammates turn their backs on you, it’s hard for the program to build with a positive culture.” Morris’s disclosure prompted a strong response, and inspired even more gymnasts, such as Alex Skocic, to come forward with their own experiences. 

Skocic’s letter sparks call for action amid allegation of mental abuse

Sydney Morris had an impressive career with LIU Gymnastics. This year, they made history as the first gymnast from LIU to win the EAGL All-Around Championship and qualify for the NCAA Regionals. Morris also captured the all-around and beam titles at the 2024 All-American Classic on February 19. Additionally, they were honored as the EAGL Rookie of the Year for the 2023 season. After 17 years in the sport, Morris ended their gymnastics career on May 28, 2024.

The gymnastics world has responded to these troubling allegations. The outpouring of support for Morris and Skocic highlights the urgent need for reform in women’s college athletics. This explosive revelation has sparked shock and strong demands for immediate answers. The allegations have not only tarnished the program’s reputation but have also raised questions about the broader culture within collegiate gymnastics, where similar issues have surfaced in recent years.

In response to the growing outcry, there are increasing demands for Long Island University to conduct a thorough investigation into the claims and implement measures to ensure athlete safety and well-being. Fans and critics suggest several steps the university could take to address these concerns, including appointing an independent panel to review coaching practices, providing support resources for current and former athletes, and establishing stricter guidelines and oversight for the gymnastics program. The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about the need for systemic change in collegiate athletics, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where athletes can thrive without fear of abuse or mistreatment.