MSU Coach: Allegations She Condoned Wild Pitch 'Categorically Untrue'

From left, senior outfielder Jessica McBride, assistant softball coach Jessica Bograkos and head softball coach Jacquie Joseph. (Photos via Michigan State University Athletic Department)

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Michigan State University head softball coach Jacquie Joseph issued a statement Monday denying allegations that she instructed an assistant coach to throw a wild pitch that would hit a former player who criticized the team.

The statement was issued by Shirlee M. Bobryk, an attorney with the White, Schneider, Young & Chiodini law firm of Okemos, in an email to Patch. Joseph wrote:

“I have devoted my past 22 years as MSU head softball coach to guiding and mentoring student athletes in the type of ideals, values and skills necessary to achieve success on the field, in their careers, and throughout their lives. During this time, I have never said or done anything to harm any of the student-athletes who have been entrusted to me. In fact, I have done everything in my power to increase public respect for this great university, and to increase the well-justified pride of the Spartan Nation.

“The allegations against me are categorically untrue. I have cooperated fully with investigators for the Michigan State Police and MSU police department – and will cooperate with the university’s independent investigators, as well – in hopes of resolving this situation and restoring my reputation as quickly as possible. Until the legal process concludes, I am unable to personally respond to the hundreds of calls and emails I have received from coaches and former students, so at this time I would just like to express my heartfelt appreciation for all the support.”

The former student, 22-year-old Alyssa McBride of Mattawan, alleged the assistant coach, Jessica Bograkos, hit her once in the arm, deeply bruising it, and once on the wrist during practices in late April and early May.

he senior outfielder alleged Joseph condoned Bograkos’ actions after McBride, who just completed her senior season with the Spartans, told a reporter she wished she had gone to a different school.

McBride said Joseph got wind of the comments, which three other players – all non-starters – reportedly echoed. When Joseph asked if she’d made the comments, she admitted she had.

Related: MSU Player Claims Coach Purposely Aimed at Her Head

TA team member who spoke to The Detroit News on the condition of anonymity said she overheard the coaches talking about the comments.

“I heard Bograkos, the assistant, say, ‘I can hit her?’ I didn’t think anything of it at the time,” the source said. “Then Coach Joseph said, ‘Yes, you can hit her.’ Bograkos responded, ‘So, I can hit her?’ and Coach Joseph said, ‘Yes, you can hit her because I can’t. If you hit her, it would be considered an accident.’ ”

Bobryk said in the statement that Joseph has consistently received positive performance reviews throughout her coaching career, and has never been subject to even minor disciplinary action.

“So, I would urge that people not jump to conclusions based on what they have read or heard about in a news story concerning this case,” Bobryk said. “For example, there may be other reasons besides supposed “retribution” for why a player is or is not scheduled as a starter in a softball game.

On her attorney’s advice, Joseph will not be answering questions from the media about this situation until further notice.

Bograkos’ attorney, James T. Hoes, has demanded that McBride retract her “defamatory assertions … involving but not limited to criminal conduct by Mrs. Bograkos.”