UNIVERSITY of the East, feeling aggrieved by what it feels was an unjust suspension of its women's volleyball team head coach, Jerry Yee, will demand that the UAAP withdraw its decision to ban Yee until such time that his side is heard by the association.
Yee was suspended for three months, or for the rest of Season 86, by the UAAP last Friday for what it said were "acts inconsistent with the league's objectives." The objectives apparently refer to the association's mantra that member schools must always behave at "the highest ethical and professional standards from those expected to mold the student athletes."
TIMELINE of events leading to UE coach Jerry Yee suspension
The UAAP statement regarding the suspension, however, did not say what specific rule Yee violated that caused his suspension, except to say that one member school had asked that he be investigated. The UAAP board also did not identify the school which pushed for the investigation although some reports indicate it may be Adamson University.
Yee had coached Adamson last year and this year he moved to UE to handle the Lady Warriors in the current UAAP volleyball tournament. Yee said his split with Adamson was agreed upon mutually.
Deputy coach Dr. Obet Vital called the UAAP decision "one-sided," and said that if this is not rectified, it may yield "irreparable" consequences for the team.
Vital said the UE community, including officials, students, athletes and personnel want an impartial investigation of all allegations against Yee. As it is, he said, UE had already been harmed by the unwanted publicity caused by the suspension.
“Guilty kaagad eh. There’s no, ‘Okay we heard one side, let’s hear the other side, let’s deliberate, and then make a decision.’ Papaano pa babawiin ‘yon?” he said.
Vital added: “If proven na both sides have done something wrong or both sides have done nothing wrong, how do you bawi, how do you get that back na na-punish na ‘yung coach along with the players, the program, and the UE community?
The Lady Warriors deputy coach said that when Yee was informed of the UAAP suspension, he immediately told the team about it and it was decided that the university will appeal the decision.
Vital confirmed that UE will file the appeal on Monday. Vital hopes that, at the very least, “coach Jerry Yee’s side [will be] heard.”
“Let’s see how fast we can get an appeal going and see if they stay with the decision temporarily until there’s a hearing or until coach Jerry Yee’s side is heard, and that’s what we’re hoping for.”
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