University of Houston women’s soccer coach Diego Bocanegra and school officials “acted appropriately” and followed policy in response to several players being hospitalized in January, according to findings of an internal audit released Thursday, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
However, the report, conducted by Audit and Compliance Committee of the University of Houston System Board of Regents, concluded former assistant strength coach Minor Bowens “ignored guidelines” that prevent rhabdomyolysis, or rhabdo, a damaging of muscle tissue caused by extensive physical exertion. Bowens was fired in February, following a soccer team workout in January that led to the hospitalization of several student-athletes. In addition, one soccer player was diagnosed with rhabdo following a workout in February 2018.
“We concluded that the former assistant strength coach ignored guidelines that help prevent rhabdo; the head women’s soccer coach acted appropriately; athletic department management acted appropriately; and that university management acted appropriately by following its policies,” the audit read.
The school added that “athletic department management is in the process of enhancing its policies and procedures addressing student-athlete health and safety.”
