Retired Yale University men's hockey coach Keith Allain has written a letter to school president Maurine McInnis, accusing athletic director Victoria Chun of creating a "toxic environment" for teams.
In the letter provided to and published by Fox News Digital, Allain claimed other Yale coaches urged him to speak out following his retirement in August.
Allain later confirmed to Fox News Digital that he wrote the letter and sent it to McInnis in October.
"My name is Keith Allain, I have just retired after 19 years as Mens Hockey Coach and I am writing to you at the urging of several head coaches in our Athletic Department. They told me that you were soliciting feedback from a few coaches regarding extending the contract of our athletic director, and are concerned, that with the culture of fear that permeates the athletic department, you will not receive candid feedback," the letter began.
As reported by Jackson Thompson of Fox News, Allain went on to call Chun the "worst leader" he has ever been around and alleges she has prioritized "silencing any dissent."
"As a Yale alum and someone who has a great affection for our University and the role of athletics within the greater Yale community I felt compelled write you as my former colleagues asked. Vicky Chun is the absolute worst leader I have ever been around in my life. She is dishonest, self centered and inaccessible. Vicky’s singular talent is self promotion and has created a toxic environment within the department where she is insulated by a cadre of administrators whose main task seems to be silencing any dissent," the letter continued.
"I know this assessment seems harsh and I am willing to provide detail if you were interested in learning more about my experience and how Vicky’s lack of leadership affect my program. As a point of reference, our teams record before Vicky was 220 wins-144 losses-39 ties, with Vicky 62 wins-110 losses-15 ties. Responsibility for that record is mine, but we all know organizational leadership or lack of it has an impact."
According to Daily Mail U.S. sports news editor Alex Raskin, "Allain is particularly well suited to address the subject."
"Not only did he play goalie for the Bulldogs in the 1970s before a brief professional career in Sweden, but Allain is also one of the most successful coaches in school history, having won seven Ivy League titles and the 2013 national championship."
