Elite Texas softball program in chaos as teams quit over alleged harassment
· Yahoo Sports
Several Texas youth softball teams are leaving a nationally ranked academy after a former coach accused the organization of mishandling her sexual harassment complaint against another coach.
Visit betsport.cv for more information.
Liana Gonzalez, a former Athletics Mercado coach, shared her allegations in a Facebook post on Oct. 27, accusing Athletics Mercado head coach Devin Taylor of making inappropriate remarks about her body and directing sexual comments and jokes at her, including in front of the 10-and-under softball team they coached.
Gonzalez also alleged Taylor sent her inappropriate text messages and attempted to share a hotel room with her during travel softball tournaments. In her Facebook post outlining her story, Gonzalez said the organization released her from her coaching position after she reported the alleged misconduct.
Following Gonzalez' s post, three Texas teams affiliated with Athletics Mercado announced plans to leave the organization, citing their commitment to protecting young female athletes and providing a safe environment for players.
Texas softball teams stand behind Gonzalez
Athletics Mercado HTX 20333, a Houston-based team, announced it would part ways with the organization after Gonzalez's post.
In a Facebook announcement, the organization said it is responsible not only for developing young girls' softball skills, but also for protecting them and ensuring safe environments for participation.
"We are a group of coaches who believe in empowering female athletes, building confidence, encouraging growth, and providing a safe space for young ladies to pursue the game they love and work hard for," the Facebook announcement reads. "Our responsibility goes beyond the field. We have a responsibility to protect, support, and stand up for the young athletes who trust us to lead them.
Other Texas teams affiliated with Athletics Mercado followed suit. The North Texas-based Athletics Mercado Montero-Mijares announced it would leave the organization and rename the team.
"For our girls, their futures, and the love of the game," the team said.
The Central Texas-based Athletics Mercado CTX 14U followed suit, announcing their intent to part ways with Athletics Mercado.
"We cannot teach our daughters to stand up for themselves, demand respect, and never tolerate harassment while choosing to remain silent when those same values are challenged," the team wrote on Facebook.
Former coach details harassment allegations
In her Oct. 27 post, Gonzalez described what she characterized as ongoing sexual harassment by Taylor, including inappropriate comments about her body, sexual jokes and unwanted messages. She also alleged Taylor attempted to arrange to share a hotel room with her during travel softball tournaments.
Gonzalez said she reported the alleged conduct to academy leadership but was subsequently released from her coaching position.
"Athletics Mercado released me from my coaching position after I reported being sexually harassed by the head coach Devin Taylor," Gonzalez wrote. "He received absolutely no consequences and was protected by Jesse Frausto, Jacob Rose, and Brian Tidd."
Gonzalez stated that the organization's leadership knowingly brought the accused coach back around young female athletes despite the nature of the allegations raising questions about the Academy's integrity and mission to support young female athletes.
"To everyone who knew about these concerns and agreed to bring him back around young female athletes: accountability extends beyond the harasser himself," she wrote. "Those who knowingly choose to overlook serious concerns and support decisions that allow this behavior to go unaddressed must answer for their choices, too."
Academy disputes former coach's account
Athletics Mercado acknowledged the allegations in a Facebook statement and said Taylor is no longer with the organization.
The academy also disputed Gonzalez's account of how it handled her complaint, saying she was not removed from her coaching position because she raised concerns.
Athletic Mercado and Athletic Mercado Academy Texas did not respond to Chron's inquiry regarding the allegations.
"The person who raised these concerns was never removed or prevented from continuing to coach by the Academy as a result of her voicing her concern," the statement reads. "
Athletics Mercado Academy's Texas leadership also issued a statement acknowledging the allegations. The Texas branch said it stands with leadership's decision to terminate Taylor but also explained its process for handling Gonzalez's initial complaints and that they were not disregarded.
"When these concerns were brought to the attention of our Texas Director, Jesse Frausto, they were elevated to organizational leadership for guidance and action," the post reads. "These concerns were not ignored, dismissed, or swept under the rug."
Several Texas youth softball teams are leaving a nationally ranked academy after a former coach accused the organization of mishandling her sexual harassment complaint against another coach. (Marcia Straub/Getty Images)Gonzalez's account differs from the academy's description of its response. She said she reported her concerns to Texas leadership, including Frausto, in July and was told the matter would be investigated.
"I was also told to keep the situation in-house for damage control," Gonzalez said. "But protecting an organization's reputation should never come before protecting young athletes and holding people accountable.
In screenshots she provided in her post, she stated that leadership told her Taylor was removed and the team was disbanded. Gonzalez said the team continued to operate, with practices and training sessions taking place even as she remained in the team's group chat.
Taylor also continued to appear on the team's social media, according to Gonzalez. On Oct. 17, the team's account published a birthday message for him.
The screenshots and social media posts raise questions about the timeline of the academy's response, including when Taylor stopped working with the organization and whether the team was formally disbanded. The available statements do not independently establish those details.
Gonzalez's posts have garnered an outpouring of support from former softball players, coaches, and mothers, applauding her bravery in coming forward.
More News
Environment | Fort Worth-area family wins $21.6M after sewer gas, mold lawsuit
For The Dogs | 19-foot steel wiener dog sculpture unveiled in Buda, Texas
Drama | ICE arrest inside Alamo H-E-B sparks debate over store's response
Lists | Houston, Dallas among nation's most rat-infested cities
For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.
This article originally published at Elite Texas softball program in chaos as teams quit over alleged harassment.