Tallahassee Reports has learned that the Florida Region of the USA Volleyball has an open investigation into the actions of current Leon High School volleyball coach Angie Strickland related to her coaching activities while employed by the Red Hills Volleyball Club (Red Hills).
The current investigation comes after the Florida Region levied sanctions against Strickland in 2021 related to her coaching activities while employed by the Tallahassee Juniors Volleyball Club (TJVC). The investigation found Strickland had committed a “flagrant offense.”
The findings of the 2021 investigation resulted in the non-renewal of Strickland’s contract with the TJVC in November 2021.
TR was recently provided an email which acknowledged actions and complaints related to Strickland’s actions during the 2023 club volleyball season while a coach at Red Hills. The email indicates the director of Red Hills – where Strickland worked as a coach after her time with the TJVC – encouraged parents to withdraw complaints related to incidents that took place at tournaments in Orlando and Atlanta during March and April of this year. The incidents were related to the treatment of players by Strickland.
To satisfy concerned parents, the director of Red Hills – Joy Becker – stated in the email to parents that Strickland would not be allowed to conduct private lessons or be left alone at team practices.
The 2021 Complaint
According to emails reviewed by TR, the Florida Region of USA Volleyball accepted jurisdiction of a complaint submitted in 2021. The complaint was related to allegations of verbal abuse by Strickland involving multiple players on the TJVC team.
Steve Bishop, Executive Director/President of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball, Inc. notified Latoya Washington, the owner and director of the TJVC, about the findings of the investigation.
Bishop wrote in July 2021, “Our organization conducted a full review of the materials submitted and the witness statements, per our Incident Review Policy. It was determined that Coach Strickland committed a first-time level 2 offense while coaching in the organization.”
Based on Florida Region polices, a level 2 offense is described as a “Flagrant offense: Can be a repeated discretionary/minor offense or a first-time flagrant offense. Requires prompt action (sooner than the next Board Meeting); these include matters such as a code of conduct violation, a code of ethics violation, or other violations that are greater than discretionary/minor but less than serious/major.”
The penalty for a 1st offense is a written letter of probation for one year. Additionally, Strickland was required to attend retraining prior to participating in any USAV sanctioned activities. Based on the findings of the investigation, on November 17, 2021, Latoya Washington notified parents affiliated with TJVC that Strickland’s coaching contract would not be renewed
Washington told TR that she made the decision after the Florida Region notified her of the findings. “After reviewing the findings I determined it was in the best interest of the club not to renew Angie’s contract,” said Washington.
Current Investigation
After her contract with TJVC was terminated, Strickland and Joy Becker started Red Hills Volleyball Club and held tryouts in the summer of 2022 for the 2023 season. The club fielded several teams and Strickland coached the 16 & under team.
The 2022/23 club season began in November and recently ended for the Red Hills club in April.
During the 2023 season, allegations of player mistreatment were again lodged against Strickland. The complaints were related to actions that took place at tournaments in Orlando and Atlanta.
Given the previous sanctions against Strickland, another investigation by the Florida Region could result in harsher penalties. In addition, Becker stated in an April 9th email to parents that any investigation “would really be detrimental to the club.”
The Becker email was an attempt to stop an investigation by the Florida Region that was under consideration based on complaints from parents.
See email below:
Becker wrote on April 9th, “Could you all please forward an e-mail to Steve Bishop, Director of the Florida Region, regarding the whole mess that occurred at Big South and Orlando? I called him for advice, but they want to pursue an investigation. I don’t want this to go that far. I am trying to keep things in-house.”
Becker asked the aggrieved parents to send an email to the Florida Region that said, “I am satisfied with the outcome of Joy Becker’s investigation and disciplinary action for Angie Strickland and that you would like to retract all statements concerning my daughter shared to you by Joy Becker.”
To address the concerns, Becker informed the parents of actions she would take or had taken. Becker stated that she “had numerous discussions with Angie concerning all matters shared concerning Orlando & Atlanta and shared how disappointed I was in her for some of her actions regarding her team and her players.”
Becker also notified parents that she had taken all privileges away from Angie for doing private lessons and that Becker would be attending all practices until the end of the season.
When contacted by TR, Steve Bishop, the Executive Director/President of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball wrote in an email that, “our organization has an open case regarding Angie Strickland and a few complaints that we received recently. Due to the fact that the case is still open and under review, I am not able to comment on those details at this time. “
When asked for comment, Joy Becker told TR that “Angie Strickland worked as a club volleyball coach for Red Hills VBC during the 22/23 season. She resigned her coaching position with Red Hills after finishing up the current season and will focus her time on other endeavors”
Leon County Schools
Given the current investigation by the Florida Region, and the sanctions levied as a result of the 2021 investigation, TR reached out to Leon County Schools to determine if officials were aware of the issues related to Strickland, and if so, were any actions taken.
These questions were relevant because of the relationship between club volleyball and high school volleyball. For example, several Leon High School volleyball players were on the club teams coached by Strickland when allegations of inappropriate behavior were made.
Via an email to TR, LCS officials stated that they were made aware of the 2021 investigation after the fact and no action was taken.
In addition, LCS included a statement from current Leon High School Athletic Director, Riley Bell, which read in part, “During my tenure as Athletic Director, Leon High School has not received any formal complaints regarding our Head Volleyball Coach in reference to treatment of players. Our Head Coach does a tremendous job of preparing her student-athletes to become contributing members within our community and providing opportunities for them to succeed beyond High School.”
Bell was hired as Leon High School Athletic Director in 2022.
Reporter’s note: Due to my involvement with high school and club volleyball in Tallahassee, I feel it is important to address any questions that may be raised about the objectivity related to the reporting. It is important that readers recognize that the report is based on original documents. Readers can post any questions and/or concerns about the report anonymously in the comment section and I will respond.
Coming Next: When does aggressive coaching cross a line and become detrimental to a players well-being?
Leon High School Coach Under Investigation by Florida Region of USA Volleyball added by Steve Stewart on
View all posts by Steve Stewart →
Angie is a bully. She has bullied and hazed many kids in the name of tough coaching. For many years she has a pattern of behavior that has been overlooked by Hannah and Becker. In fact, Becker has covered for Angie for years. Now, Joy has tarnished her own reputation by trying to convince parents to pull their valid complaints from volleyball officials. The letter written by Joy, after knowing Angie’s behavior for years, makes Joy an enabler of such reprehensible conduct in the future. Hannah needs to practice what he preaches and protect all students, including those being abused by a coach. Winning is not the only goal! The mental and emotional scars from such abuse are not justified by a Title. Kids are leaving her program. Save the kids!
It is possible for some parents to respond to allegations of abuse by disciplining and blaming the coach rather than taking immediate action to protect their child. This response can stem from various factors and attitudes. Here are some potential reasons why parents might react in this manner:
Misguided Loyalty: Parents may feel a sense of loyalty towards the coach or the team, especially if they have had a longstanding relationship or if the team has achieved success. This loyalty may cloud their judgment and lead them to defend the coach instead of prioritizing their child’s well-being.
Disbelief or Denial: When confronted with allegations of abuse, parents may initially struggle to believe that the coach they entrusted their child could be capable of such behavior. They may downplay or dismiss the accusations, hoping that they are unfounded or exaggerated. This disbelief can delay their recognition of the seriousness of the situation.
Minimizing or Normalizing Behavior: Some parents may have grown up in environments where harsh coaching methods were considered the norm. They may perceive abusive behavior as a natural part of the sport or to build character. Consequently, they may downplay the severity of the coach’s actions, believing that it is simply part of the training process.
Fear of Confrontation or Conflict: Confronting the coach about allegations of abuse can be a challenging and uncomfortable task for parents. They may fear potential conflicts with the coach, other parents, or the sports organization. The fear of creating tension or disrupting team dynamics can discourage parents from taking immediate action.
Uncertainty about the Best Course of Action: Parents who are unsure of the appropriate steps to take when faced with allegations of abuse may hesitate to make decisions. They may be uncertain about whom to report the abuse to or how to navigate the legal and organizational processes involved. This uncertainty can result in a delay in taking action to protect their child.
It is crucial to address these attitudes and provide parents with resources, education, and support to ensure the safety and well-being of their children. Establishing clear reporting procedures, promoting open communication, and offering guidance on recognizing and responding to abusive coaching behavior can empower parents to take appropriate action when necessary.
It is important to note that while some parents may initially respond in this manner, many eventually come to recognize the severity of the situation and take steps to protect their child. Every situation is unique, and individual responses may vary based on a range of factors, including the parent’s understanding, support systems, and available resources.
When it comes to addressing abusive coaching behavior, parents play a vital role in ensuring the well-being and safety of their children. Recognizing the signs of abuse and acting is not only an ethical responsibility but also a crucial duty that parents must fulfill. This argument highlights why it is the parents’ duty to recognize and address abusive coaching behavior.
Protection of Child’s Welfare:
Parents have a fundamental duty to protect their children from harm, both physical and psychological. Abusive coaching behavior can have severe and lasting effects on a child’s mental and emotional well-being. By recognizing and addressing such behavior, parents fulfill their obligation to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
Advocacy and Empowerment:
Parents are in a unique position to advocate for their child’s rights and well-being. By actively monitoring their child’s experiences in sports and remaining vigilant for any signs of abuse, parents can act as strong advocates, ensuring that their child is treated with respect and dignity. Recognizing and addressing abusive coaching behavior empowers parents to protect their child’s rights and promote a healthy sporting environment.
Promoting Ethical Values:
Parents are responsible for instilling ethical values and principles in their children’s lives. Addressing abusive coaching behavior demonstrates to children that abusive treatment is never acceptable. By taking a stand against such behavior, parents teach their children about respect, fairness, and the importance of standing up against injustice. This helps shape their child’s moral compass and prepares them to navigate future challenges with integrity.
Setting Boundaries and Limits:
Parents have the authority and responsibility to establish boundaries and set limits for their child’s participation in sports. Recognizing abusive coaching behavior allows parents to enforce appropriate boundaries and protect their child from further harm. It sends a clear message that mistreatment and abuse are unacceptable, fostering a safe and supportive environment for their child’s athletic development.
Fostering Open Communication:
Addressing abusive coaching behavior encourages open communication between parents and their child. It creates a safe space for the child to express their concerns, share their experiences, and seek support. By actively addressing these issues, parents build trust with their child, fostering an environment where the child feels comfortable discussing their experiences and seeking guidance when faced with difficult situations.
Promoting Accountability and Change:
When parents recognize and address abusive coaching behavior, they contribute to holding coaches and sports organizations accountable for their actions. By speaking up, parents can help initiate investigations, prompt necessary reforms, and ultimately create a safer sporting environment for all athletes. Acting encourages positive change and prevents future instances of abuse.
Recognizing and addressing abusive coaching behavior is a crucial duty for parents. By fulfilling this duty, parents protect their child’s welfare, advocate for their rights, promote ethical values, set boundaries, foster open communication, and contribute to accountability and positive change. It is through these collective efforts that we can ensure a safe and nurturing sporting environment for all young athletes.
As you may know, the track and fields are currently closed to the public. I believe this closure is intended to isolate us from our athletes, fearing that we might witness something remarkable. Please sign the petition here and send an email to Rocky Hanna, urging him to reopen our track and fields. Let’s come together and make our voices heard. Join the cause at https://www.change.org/ReopenTracksLeonCounty.
After reading this article, I felt compelled to share my story, even though it occurred in 2006. This type of behavior is nothing new for Angie. In 2006, when my daughter played volleyball for Lincoln, I had to demand a meeting with the Principal, Mrs. Bunch, athletic director, Jim Everett and Angie to complain about her behavior towards the girls but specifically my daughter. Her disregard for their academics andher disrespect towards the young ladies was the focus of my complaint. For every game, she required the team to meet at one of the girls homes immediately after school to “bond” prior to the game. If she had homework to complete and did not meet into later, she was benched, reprimanded and shunned. Considering that the matches were never over until after 10:00pm, this was not conducive to the academic success of a high school student. I insisted that my daughter come home and complete her homework and I would then take her to the house to meet with her teamates. I requested to meet with Angie but she would always refuse. Other parents complained of this treatment but I requested a meeting with Principal Bunch, Jim Everett, and Angie. For someone that controls through the use of fear and intimidation tactics, I was shocked that when confronted directly by myself at this meeting, she resorted to crying with little to say. Considering her game and practice behavior, this was an immediate indication of her instability and false personna. My daughter lost her interest in volleyball because of Angie and I will never forget how she mistreated her during that time. As I’ve read some of the supportive parents comments, you should ask yourselves why maybe why she has not moved from the high school level oto the college ranks? Because her antics and nasty attitude would not be accepted with young adults and colleges would be forced to intervene. Therefore, she remains coaching young girls that she can easily bully and intimidate. This continued behavior is not acceptable and should not be perpetuated by her friends or mentor.
Angie is a THE best coach. Period. Her coaching methods may not be very orthodox but if you’re a player who wants to play at higest level, she is your coach. She put more players at D1 than any other coach.
This type of coaching behavior was (maybe still is) going on at Chiles for many years as well. Don’t think that Strickland is the only coach that treats players this way. Strickland is a great coach that has dedicated her life to Tallahassee volleyball. Yes she could tone it down a notch or three. I would guess dealing with all the complaining parents over the years paired with a very competitive spirit and expectation to win, could drive anyone to a breaking point. Nobody is perfect, not even a winning coach. If you get on a winning team; school, club, college, professional… you are expected to show up and win no matter what. If you want to play for fun, there are other places for that. There are many college coaches that are not nice, say mean things and don’t care about your feelings. They expect you to show up and win. They can and will pull your spot or scholarship and not even tell you why. I hope Strickland decides on her own to step away and just enjoy her life. This is why more people don’t step up to be a coach. They are under a microscope from every angle and paid pennies. Not worth the hassle unless you really live what you do like her.
Wow!!! After I went to the principal about the abuse and mistreatment that my daughter was receiving from Angie, NOTHING was Done!!! This woman has ruined so many young ladies mentally is a shame!!! IT HAS TO STOP!!!!
I know personally know 10 athletes quit the sport they love because of a coach. A coach that makes them feel bad and scared to go to practice every day.
The abuse is real as my child has been a victim. If your not a superstar that can make Coach Strickland look good your nothing to her and she will let you know. Her only supporters are the past and present superstars or parents with money that she clings onto that pay for all the private lessons with her. The verbal, mental and physical abuse is real. Hopefully LCS will finally do something about Angie before she hurts any other female athletes.
Enough is enough!
When will Leon High School administration and Leon County schools do something about Coach Strickland? The Superintendent and the Leon Administration is well aware of the abuse as they have received numerous complaints over the past decade yet nothing has ever been done. 10 varsity and jv players quit the week after sand season commenced this month. 10!
10 athletes quit the sport they love because of a coach. A coach that makes them feel bad and scared to go to practice every day.
The abuse is real as my child has been a victim. If your not a superstar that can make Coach Strickland look good your nothing to her and she will let you know. Her only supporters are the past and present superstars or parents with money that she clings onto that pay for all the private lessons with her. The verbal, mental and physical abuse is real. Hopefully LCS will finally do something about Angie before she hurts any other female athletes.
Some of these comments are comical. People can be two things at once- you can be tough and a great coach and you can be abusive. The world is not black and white it is many different shades of gray. That goes for Angie too. Yes, she may have one state championships and yes she may have helped some players get college scholarships, but should that excuse the mental anguish and trauma she has caused countless players over the years? As a former player, I have witnessed firsthand her threaten players when they are sick or injured and tell them they will let down the team. Not only that-she encourages the teammates to do the same and isolate the injured player. I have even seen her threaten players that she will call their college coach and have them take their scholarships away just for making mistakes in drills. This just brushes the surface.
If sports history has taught us anything great coaches are rarely held accountable for their scandals -simply for winning. Take, for example, the USA gymnastics scandal, Jerry Sandusky, and Bob Knight. Victims spoke out for decades and were brushed aside because they were “crybabies” and “weak”. This is the same for Angie. People are placing blame on CHILDREN- not the GROWN WOMAN who perpetuated abuse for almost 20 years.
Last note- to all the commenters mentioning football- wake up! Tallahassee football isn’t the end all be all. I can guarantee 99% world doesn’t care about Tallahassee football and its coaches. I’m pretty sure 99% of Florida doesn’t care about Tallahassee football. Get over yourselves. It’s the 21st century. Maybe it’s time we as a society start taking female athletes seriously and stop belittling their complaints. Women can be just as tough as men, and a FEMALE coach can be just as abusive as a MALE coach.
Glad this story is finally shining a light on something that clearly has been a problem for a long time. All we can do is wait and see what actions the USAV and Leon County Schools will take.
I have coached against both Joy and Angie for 20+ years during HS and Club seasons. Angie has always been a tough coach, even while at Lincoln, before Leon. I’m just curious how many of the parents that lodged complaints truly discipline their kids? I mean legitimately “spanked” their kids or do they just take their cellphones away? While Angie’s actions may be to the extreme, it’s still a choice to play for her. I know for a fact coach Becker was just as tough on players at Leon. A majority of the complaints are exactly why a lot of great coaches don’t want to coach anymore. The softness and entitlement of the parents, not the kids are getting way out of hand. The real world doesn’t care about your “feeling!”
Former player here-both in high school and club. Angie knew volleyball, there’s no question about that. She coached winning strategies and her players consistently were the best in town. However, she was ABSOLUTELY mentally and verbally abusive. She pushed players through tears, vomit, physical injuries (some of which had serious long term implications). She pushed a player to do one legged box jumps with a sprained ankle… she ended up in the hospital with stitches. She used tragedies of players against them, asking if dead relatives would be proud of the way they were acting. She would pit players against each other in the most toxic ways. The favoritism was so obvious that these girls were hated by other teammates. I had 10 players on my first team… 3 of us made it senior year. She ruined it for so many players. She was even reprimanded by college coaches at summer team camps for her behavior at summer camp. She was even told she was not allowed to bring her team back to one. Club was just as bad. And her title of recruitment director made it so much more manipulative. Parents knew if they complained Angie could ruin their kid’s future. Angie was a phenomenal coach in terms of volleyball skills, IQ, and strategy. It’s just too bad players won for her more out of absolute terror of losing than for respecting her.
I’ve had 5 of my HS players come to me seeking guidance on how to navigate the treatment they receive at her hand. These are not kids that are soft or mentally weak. These are some of the hardest working and competitive kids I know. For them to seek me out and be in tears while explaining how they’ve been treated tells me everything I need to know. Every story I’ve ever heard from players and area coaches is always she’s a great coach, but she’s a bully. To blame kids individually for a team loss, belittle them and tell them the team will hate you, and play on the emotions of children is 100% bullying. All that does is groom them to tolerate and accept abuse as the norm. You can be disciplined and motivate without manipulating and verbally attacking kids. Winning isn’t the most important lesson we teach as HS coaches. Winning is a byproduct and culmination of all the lessons we teach our kids.
Angie Strickland is an abuser and has been for her whole
Coaching career. There were reports filed with Leon County Schools as far back as 2014. You can go request them. This isn’t new and won’t stop unless she’s forced to stop.
Angie Strickland is a bully period. Leon high school allows it. Investigate the finances of Leon volleyball. She should have been fired long time ago. I know personally my kid played at Leon with her. I am so glad my kid decided to do another sport and received a scholarship with that sport. This lady is sick and has been able to do this for years.
Coach Strickland should just move on from both club and high school coaching. She has accomplished a lot after taking over what Joy Becker built at Leon. She was able to win state twice, mainly due to the fact there became 8 Divisions in FHSAA Volleyball vs 6 when Joy Becker coached. She won the first with a lot of players, Joy had groomed and Angie was able to win in the more watered down division Leon was in. She has accomplished a lot in club volleyball and helped most girls opportunities to play at community colleges and small NAIA and Division 2 and 3 schools. If she takes a step back and looks at her behavior and mental instability that has been evident when she is in stressful situations, she would step aside. She should take her accomplishments and choose to move on in a different direction. It’s unfortunate Coach Becker again aligned herself with someone who has done nothing but bring her down over and over again. Coach Becker’s own granddaughter is even transferring from Leon due to verbal and mental abuse from Coach Strickland. If you had a player Angie treated fairly and with respect, count yourself lucky. The Florida Region of USAV is led by a very respected by the book Executive Director, Steve Bishop. Mr. Bishop is ex military, no nonsense individual. I feel confident he will make a decision that’s best for USAV players first and what is deemed to be Coach Strickland’s future coaching in the Florida region.
It’s about the girls in the end .. period. Their right to be treated and coached with respect, a place to feel welcome and safe.
I do not have children involved in the volleyball world but I have close experiences with the history at hand. It’s a disgrace that the system and the support has continued any farther past her leaving Lincoln. It shouldn’t matter how many titles have been won (which was zero at that point) or “how bad” a parents perspective of her abuse is. The safety of the health of these children should be, without a doubt, the most important. Not only are the players being attacked but they’re also receiving attention from this coach as a caring friend. The hot and cold these kids are dealing with is confusing, contradicting and next to impossible for anyone to navigate. Parents may see what most view as negative happening but they are not the ones actually experiencing the abuse. Because the coach historically “befriends” the parents, it’s easy for some to fall into a diluted reality. From experience with different coaches and similar issues I can say these kids will carry this trauma through their adult lives. I don’t care if they’ve won championships, received D1 full rides or loved all of the fun times under her coaching. The damage is in every child she has coached and it will come out one way or another at some point in their lives. What bothers me just as much is how easy it is for new families to enter this world of volleyball, completely blind to what they will be groomed to eventually be asked to accept in the future.
About time someone called out the mental abuse. High school sports should be about happy positive memories not nightmares. Just this spring after beach season, 10 girls quit… Strickland told one of them that they were “not going to have any friends. The whole team will hate you.”
The principal and AD should interview each one of these 10 girls to find out why they quit playing the sport they love…
i have been coaching around Angie for years. Everything good that she coaches, could be done with out the bad. And the bad is abuse. People explain it off because she wins. But it doesn’t make it ok. overall it is a toxic situation, and will continue to surface as long as it is allowed.
Male fragility nails it – you can’t write about something that affects your own chidlren and then claim no bias. Is everything on this site this biased? Good question to ponder.
I have observed both Coach Becker and Strickland’s coaching styles for a number of years at the local high school matches. In terms of coaching, I have found Coach Becker to be very competent and fair. The same cannot be said of Coach Strickland. I was in attendance at the Big South Tournament in Orlando this past club season. I was at the tournament watching a different Tallahassee Club but made a point to watch matches from other Tallahassee clubs when time permitted. I had the opportunity to observe Coach Strickland during one of their matches. I was so shocked by her treatment (physically and verbally) of her players, that I barely made it through one set. I commented to numerous parents and all agreed her coaching behavior was unacceptable but felt to make a formal complaint would interfere with their child’s future opportunities in the sport. That is sad. No child should be put through the abuse I witnessed. Some commentors implied this type of coaching is okay, that it toughens them and prepares them for playing at the next level. It is not and does not. Imagine as an adult, making a mistake in your job and your boss comes to you, puts their face inches from yours while securing both arms and starts verbally assaulting you. Calling you stupid. That is what I observed with multiple players during the set I watched. Would you want your child to be conditioned to accept that behavior as an adult? I feel it is time she either voluntarily steps away from coaching or is again sanctioned/removed from coaching by the Florida region of USA Volleyball. Leon County Schools must also address the numerous complaints they receive from players and parents as credible and take the appropriate steps for a thorough investigation.
Male Fragiligity
Do you realize that Coach Strickland was under investigation by the Fl Region? . This goes far beyond “jealous sports parents”. They clearly found validity in the allegations of the players in 2021, or they would not have levied a sanction against Coach Strickland. They also would not be investigating her, again!
I agree with your statement about Joy Becker. She is a coaching legend and has down so much for the sport not only in Tallahassee but Florida too.
These allegations have been around for 20 years about Coach Strickland. The Leon administration has been well informed of her antics for years. I personally know several formal players who have been victims of Coach Strickland’s mental abuse and bullying tactics. Clearly the Florida Region investigation and outcome show her misconduct.
It’s comical those that dismiss her behavior as “the same as any football coach”. Abuse is abuse! These players are not snowflakes, they are children who are being victimized by a GROWN woman. How far does it have to go? What if it was your child? It’s so easy to dismiss and turn the other way when you are not personally impacted.
It has nothing to do with “mental toughness”. There are plenty of coaches who are tough, but not to the point of being abusive. Joy Becker being a prime example.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Happy to see someone finally standing up to Coach Strickland!
Unless anyone here is a mental health expert then this should play out with the thorough investigation USAV does and talk to a Mental Health to determine the severity of the accusations .When you hear a licensed professional say your child has suffered trauma you take it seriously. These two coaches know the sport of volleyball and that’s it. If they like you your good. With Joy, if you have money even better! Otherwise they will destroy you and in this creepy town get away with it. The real issue here is MENTAL HEALTH and we should never ever make a child afraid to communicate how they are being made to feel. The people that support these corrupt women that have a history of starting new clubs when they burn bridges is beyond me. Joy needs to retire and learn how to not put stupid things in writing.Angie needs an Anger Management course. And while LCS won’t do anything as usual, maybe they will consider a Sports Psychologist like they have in College. I would hate to see a player become suicidal as a result of this
This is a gossip column dripping with implicit bias and classic sports parent jealousy, thinly veiled as “news”. There are no real examples to support such grave accusations. Mr. Stewart belittles his daughters and their teammates from the sidelines and yet even still cannot simply enjoy his own daughter’s successes without smearing the names of the two programs in Tallahassee that pose the biggest threat to his own successes and interests. Imagine if every disgruntled tee-ball dad had his own “news” outlet to air his grievances and run smear campaigns. Joy Becker and Angie Strickland are two of the most successful female coaches in all of Tallahassee and have done more to advance the sport of volleyball and the success of female athletes than any other coaches in town. Rather than celebrating what they’ve accomplished, we work to destroy their livelihood. What an incredible double standard female coaches are held to. Spend some time at a football practice in town and tell me what Coach Strickland has done that is any different than these coaches. If this were truly about the safety and well-being of the girls, why haven’t Mr. Stewart and his sources given specific examples? Why did the sources hide behind anonymity? This isn’t about the girls. This is petty jealousy disguised as journalism.
First, the report is not gossip. The Florida Region of USA Volleyball sanctioned Strickland in 2021 and she is currently under investigation again – see Becker email. Second, this is news. You should be more concerned about why other media outlets have not covered the story about a local high school coach who has lost two jobs in two years over the treatment of players.
Being a former parent of Leon and Club Volleyball coached by Angie i have NO complaints. I had two kids play for her and YES she is tough and YES she is hard but my kids say everyday how appreciative they are for what she taught them through volleyball. NO regrets!!!! Love Coach Strickland
I am a former player of Angie Strickland and won countless titles under her in club as well as high school including winning multiple qualifiers and a state championship. Playing for Angie is a choice. Everyone knows of the atmosphere that comes with Leon Volleyball. Angie taught me life lessons I couldn’t have learned anywhere else. She has the utmost passion for the sport and shows it in the way she coaches. I am now a collegiate athlete and I wish I was pushed here on the daily like Angie pushed me. She is a phenomenal coach. She is tough. But if you listen you will so many life lessons and come out a much better person!
Never mind that half the students at Leon High School can’t read at their grade level. Lets go after the stupid volley ball coach for being mean… The fact that THIS is the story and not that only 49% of the students read at grade level tells you everything about Leon county.
I don’t care…this effects me how?
And so it begins…Angie gets her cronies and favorite former players to run damage control for her. Angie has had a parent who works for the firm that represents The Tallahassee Democrat get a previous planned story about this very matter killed prior to publication. I can assure you USAV doesn’t take these complaints lightly or hand out disciplinary action without through documentation and witnesses cooperating statements. This matter needs to be dealt with in a fair and orderly manner and no more sweeping under the rug. The former AD at Leon never documented complaints and was duplicitous in what went on at Leon as well as the former principal. It looks like the current AD and principal are following suit.
I am a former player of Angie for club and she was the best coach I have had my entire career- including college coaches. I agree that girls should not be verbally abused, but Angie has made me more disciplined through her coaching. She can be tough but she always had a purpose in what she was doing. Everything she did helped prepare me mentally which made my collegiate career even better. She taught foundations and life skills at every practice which has shaped me into who I am today. She even stepped up and was my recruiting coach while I was searching to play in college. I hope the investigation can get solved and that the players remember that mental toughness will prepare you for volleyball, and the toughness of life.
Oh look, another witch hunt. Angie is a superb coach. Yes, she’s tough, which is probably why the snowflakes are coming out of the woodwork. Wonder if there will ever be names attached to these accusers?
Strickland is a long-time name in Tallahassee and Tallahassee sports.
I don’t know Angie and wonder if she’s related to a couple of Leon grads of the 80s, Abbey and Andie.
This has been known in volleyball community for years. She was dismissed from Lincoln High School years ago for inappropriate verbal actions when she was a teacher and coach. She also received a DUI , that was reduced to reckless driving.during that time but was hired again by LCS a few years later. She has verbally and mentally abused players for almost 20 years and folks are scared to come forward fearing retribution toward their child. Winning at costs and LCS administrators who look the other way. Does it take a child successfully harming themselves to make people realize what’s really going on?
Great article. Riley Bell may not have a formal written complaint but he has heard from parents. Ask him that. Angie Strickland is a great technical coach and understands the game as good or better than most in the southeast. But her constant nasty verbal abuse and of the girls is counterproductive, holds the program back, and has sent a number of these girls into severe psychological issues the last several years. Either she seeks help, reform, or she should be moved on.
Joy Becker is one of the finest people around and a volleyball legend I’m Tallahassee. Although her method of handling this issue was secretive, she did ultimately handle it, which is more than you can say about the Leon AD.
They need to clean this up. It’s an embarrassment as someone who is is very familiar with this program.
If I understand this correctly, Ms. Strickland is accused of being Vocally Abusive to some of the Club Team Players back in 2021, an Investigation took place and was settled but the same complaints has followed her to the Red Hills Club and then to Leon. Are these new Complaints about what she did back in 2021 or did she do something AT Leon. What did she SAY to the Students to make them file a complaint? Is it any harsher then what the Football Coaches say to their Players?
Whatever it is or whatever is going on I hope an expedient resolution is made in favor of what is best for the players and program. Should it have even gotten this far?
A quick check of Tallahassee Democrat, WTXL, and WCTV indicates nothing on this subject on other local news outlets. Another Steve Stewart scoop of local importance while the three legacy news providers sleep on the story. Great Job Steve!!!!
Looks like local School Superintendant Rocky Hannah has nothing to say in regards to his job of keeping parents informed.
I will refrain from speculating on what I think may have been going on with that Coach and those childern out of respect for the childern and parents. But it sounds like we may be looking at something involving great danger to the childern