Blaine Newnham / Times associate editor
Supporters of Wilson won't go quietly

	Teresa Wilson
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As her team dodges raindrops for an early-season practice, one of the best softball coaches in the country sits at home in Seattle, pondering her future and, oh yes, the "consequences of a 56-game rule in college softball."

Her reassignment by the University of Washington apparently will include a weighty report on the topic. It may be as close to softball as she gets this spring.

What a shame.

While the mess surrounding the firing of football coach Rick Neuheisel will undoubtedly draw more attention and cost more money, the ouster of Teresa Wilson as softball coach will be no less painful.

This week, media outlets have been peppered with Wilson testimonials from many of those who played for her at Washington, as well as their parents.

Pete Pickering, father of Sara Pickering, the former UW star who battled cancer, wrote, "Without the efforts of Teresa Wilson and the softball program I am not sure we would have Sara with us today. I am positive that no other coach in the country cares more for her players or works harder to have a successful program.

"Anyone who knows coach Wilson knows that in her heart she believed her team was cared for by a physician and medical staff that had every player's well-being as a top priority. ... it is unrealistic for me to believe that she would ever put one of her girls in harm's way."

Former All-America shortstop Rosie Leutzinger wrote, "She is not only one of the greatest teachers of the game of softball; she is an even better teacher of the game of life.

"I don't regret a single day of my experience at the University of Washington because I know that Teresa Wilson made me a better human being."

Wilson turned the Huskies into one of the elite softball programs in the country, clearly the best program not bathed in sunshine. Under Wilson, the Huskies played in six of the past eight College Women's World Series.

But she is no longer the coach, reassigned to research until her contract with the school runs out in June.

"We are going forward with the coaches we have (former assistants Scott Centala and Steve Dailey) and will start the process to find a new coach," said Dick Thompson, himself a temporary replacement for Barbara Hedges as athletic director.

"Teresa Wilson's contract will not be extended."

Thompson reminded us that the decision to remove Wilson from her position was made "not just by the athletic department, but the university administration."

No one has said why Wilson was deposed other than it had to do with the findings of an ongoing investigation into the prescription drugs given UW athletes by team physician William Scheyer.

Thompson said the results of the investigation, originally thought to be concluded by the end of this month, will be made public.

Wilson, who referred questions to her attorney, said, "I was asked not to talk about things, and I haven't. But there will come a time when I can speak freely and tell my story."

Her attorney, Rayla Allison of Minneapolis, said, "We are trying to resolve matters with the university short of litigation. Ideally, we would like to see her return as coach."

In reassigning her, the university implies that Wilson knew — or should have known — that Scheyer was unlawfully treating her players.

"The university should consider its course of action because there was no wrongdoing on Teresa's part at all," countered Allison.

"I would imagine that as the investigation goes on she will be completely cleared of any attempt to connect her with wrongdoing."

Mindy Williams Cleeland, who played for the Huskies during the program's formative years, organized the support for Wilson from former players.

"We'd like her to coach again, but when this is over we would like to see her integrity intact," Cleeland said.

"Her character has been questioned, when I, and all of my former teammates, consider her the most important role model in our young and impressionable lives."

If Wilson were jettisoned to relieve the heat on the athletic department surrounding the prescription-drug scandal, then the heat may be just beginning.

"I bleed purple and gold," continued Cleeland. "I was at the university as a student and coach for nine years. But if Coach goes, we all go with her."

Wilson and her supporters won't go easily. The results of the investigation will either embarrass a coach or a university.

What a shame.

Blaine Newnham: 206-464-2364 or bnewnham@seattletimes.com

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