UAB Blazers softball head coach Taylor Smartt is facing serious allegations after several players and parents accused her of abuse, racism, dangerous training methods, and inappropriate behavior inside the program. The claims became public after a detailed report by Sports IllustratedShared accounts from athletes and families connected to the team. According to the report, Smartt has not been with the team for the past few weeks. In a statement given to the Daily MailUAB Athletics said, “Taylor Smartt has taken a step back from the program. We will make further comment when it’s appropriate.”The university also said it is “committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive experience for student athletes” and added that concerns brought to the department are investigated. Several players and parents described an unhealthy environment inside the softball program. One of the strongest accusations came from Linsey Dupree, the mother of player Auburn Dupree. She claimed her daughter faced repeated mental and verbal abuse from Smartt. Linsey also alleged that Smartt made racially insensitive comments about Auburn’s braided hairstyle, reportedly calling them “jailhouse braids.”Auburn Dupree later described the coach as “manipulative” in messages shared with Sports Illustrated. She said the coach made her question her value “as a player, a friend, and just as a human.”
Parents and players accuse Taylor Smartt of racism, dangerous workouts and inappropriate behavior inside UAB softball program
Another parent told Sports Illustrated that Smartt once told a player to stop spending time with her “charred” friends, which was described as another racial remark. The report also included claims of physical mistreatment. After a game against East Carolina Pirates softball, a complaint was reportedly filed with ECU athletics staff by a witness who claimed they saw Smartt punch one of her players inside the dugout.The complaint stated, “While observing from the first base dugout area, I saw the UAB head coach punch a player in the dugout.” The witness also said the athlete appeared emotional and in pain afterward.Players also described extreme conditioning drills that they believed were unsafe. One athlete claimed the team was forced to tread water until players felt like they “were going to die.” Others said players had to push an assistant coach’s SUV and then stand in front of the moving vehicle to stop it using their body weight.“One of my teammates almost got actually run over doing it,” one player told Sports Illustrated. “She tripped and fell, and the car almost went over her.”The allegations did not stop there. Players also claimed food was sometimes limited after losses. Some athletes said the team was given Lunchables for meals and only $10 for airport food during trips, forcing players to split meals.Another complaint discussed an alleged inappropriate relationship involving Smartt, volunteer staff member Julie Money, and a player. According to the report, a complaint filed during an April 24 meeting with athletic director Mark Ingram claimed Smartt had an unusually close relationship with one athlete, including overnight stays at the player’s residence. The Daily Mail reported that Smartt did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
