Jacques Curtis’ term of office at Shaw University ends, infected by allegations and scandal

In a short press release in which Jacques Curtis’ sudden retirement and the appointment of Lou Hamilton was announced as an interim head coach of the Shaw University Women’s Basketball Program, the university did not tackle the alleged reasons behind the resignation of Curtis or the recent allegations around the program. Instead, it emphasized his career performance, including 400 victories, nine Ciaa titles, 11 AD Tournament appearances and a Division II National Championship.

When HBCU Gameday Reports, in April 2025, placed Kiara Shepherd, a senior guard, a video on her Tiktok account that contained allegations that Curtis’s program was full of inappropriate behavior Focused on the student athletes, he had to teach and coach.

Shepherd too indicated In her video that she had filed a complaint earlier this year to the Raleigh, North Carolina University. As is often the case when a whistleblower comes forward, Her allegations inspired other athletes to get forward About what they experienced under the term of Curtis.

“I just want to let me know that I don’t try to bash,” Shepherd said in her video. “I try to ruin anyone’s career. I just say exactly what happened.”

She continued: “All I just try to do is bring consciousness. I have already been to school, I have already been to HR. I have already tried to locate and get in touch with whom I should contact. I have nothing to do. I have no choice but to bring it on social media, what I didn’t want to do.”

“It was really hard to have a little focus and just to do my schoolwork, but it is just that this has boned in mind. And everyone is just like, well, let it just go … I just want that … I can’t. I can’t. I can’t,” shepherd.

Alliyah Chaplin, a guard who played for the university during the 2023-2024 season, is one of the former players who came to the fore with similar reports of abuse and inappropriate behavior, while the program was led by Curtis.

Moreover, the two players told different media that they have been in contact with players who already played for the team in 2013 those similar situations have described.

“I have experienced a man who uses his position and he has people behind him,” said Chaplin CBS 17. ‘I do [the school] To look at it. I want them to do something about it, because we can’t continue. “

She continued: “There is no reason why the same thing is said, year after year, with the same, with different teams. The selection is almost clear almost every year. Everyone leaves. Everyone passes.”

Although the school has recognized an approaching meeting with Shepherd, who is only officially its concerns, it also noted in a statement on its website that “Shaw University is aware of recent allegations that have surfaced online. The university is taking any accusations of misconduct seriously. The university has no further comments at the moment.”

Frantaisa Springs, who was a equipment manager during the 2018-2019 season, indicated ABC 11th-abuse in silence.

“I just witnessed emotional abuse, screams for no reason, and just like abuse.” Springs, who had not emerged before, was motivated by others who shared their experiences, remembered. “I am glad that everyone is talking about it, because if you are not going to talk about it, it will just keep going.”

Another former player who asked ABC 11 To remain anonymous, it noted on the Outlet off-camera that the abuse in the program goes back to at least 2005.

“I was surprised that different players are now coming from previous years from 2005 to (2007)”, according to the comments of the Alum for the Outlet, they know at least 11 former players who have described behavior similar to Shepherd and the others. That alum now helps with the legal process. The alum is “shocked” and “stunned” by the way it has happened so far.

In 2006, Dolmesha Stallings, a former assistant coach under Curtis, filed a complaint at Shaw University and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Wbal news that he Sexually harassed from the moment she started working in that position in June 2003.

“There was something physical, but it was more only verbal, a lot of inappropriate language, a lot of inappropriate telling about jokes – sexual nature … I would return the championship ring to take back this year,” said stalls.

“He is a married man. I have a fiancé. I said to him:” You are my supervisor. Do not mix things with pleasure, and you know you make me uncomfortable, “she remembered.

She continued: “There are countless women who came to me and praised me because I came up and had the courage to say something they were not in, so I know there are others.”

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