An anonymous letter from parents is calling for the resignation of University of Arkansas Women’s Volleyball Coach, Robert Pulliza.
KNWA/Fox 24 received a copy of the letter, addressed to University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long, in which Pulliza is called “sadistic” and “a danger to young minds.”
The letter also says Pulliza uses profanity and belittling language towards players. One former Arkansas Volleyball player we spoke with, who wanted to remain anonymous, says Pulliza often threatened violence.
“He would tell you he was going to punch you in the chest. Or if you don’t do this correctly he’s going to snap the [expletive] out of you. Stuff like that,” said the former player.
She says the accusations outlined in the letter is the same bullying she experienced while in the program.
“He’ll call you [expletive] and if you went out to a party and he didn’t want you to he called you a [expletive] because you’re hanging out with people.”
The letter, written by an anonymous group describing themselves as “extremely concerned Razorback parents” says Pulliza terrorizes players. The former player we spoke with, said that behavior often continued during games.
“It was more or less calling you out by name, telling you that you suck. You don’t hear that from a coach,” she said.
The letter also claims Pulliza’s behavior has been reported to University administrators in the past, but nothing was donea bout it. The former athlete we spoke with says if anything, she fears his behavior has gotten worse since she left the program.
“As an athlete you think you’re gonna come in, and learn different things and accelerate as a player and he just belittles you the whole time and you’re like I hate this sport….I thought he’d be able to change, but he hasn’t.”
The University of Arkansas is now investigating. In a statement to KNWA/Fox 24, the athletic department said in part:
“The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics recently received an anonymous letter containing allegations regarding Arkansas head volleyball coach Robert Pulliza. Although an anonymous letter does not provide an opportunity to authenticate the legitimacy of the author(s) of the letter or its contents, we have initiated an inquiry into the allegations.”
Our attempts to contact Coach Pulliza were not returned.
