2008 Woodie Awards
Decorated track star leaves SIUE
Decision comes after popular assistant track coach let go by university
Josh McCarty
Issue date: 7/16/08 Section: Sports
During the 2008 track and field season, Deserea Brown earned two National Championships, multiple All-American awards and became a semi-finalist for Olympic qualifying for SIUE.
Now, five weeks before the beginning of fall semester, the decorated athlete has cut all ties with the university.
"I will not be coming back," Brown said. "As far as SIUE is concerned, that bridge is burned."
The announcement came two days after assistant track and field coach Ben Beyers was let go by the university.
On Thursday, Beyers, who recently won national assistant coach of the year, confirmed the university's decision to move in another direction.
Beyers said with the program going Division I, they needed more full time coaches, and he is part time.
"I don't really have a problem with that," Beyers said. "The only concern I obviously had is this decision was thought of back in January, and I was told I would be back. In the middle of March, (head track and field coach) Dave Astrauskas told me he would definitely have me back."
Astrauskas had no comment on the Beyers situation, and SIUE Athletic Director Brad Hewitt was unavailable for comment as of Tuesday afternoon.
Beyers said Astrauskas was not only dishonest with him but also with the athletes.
"He assured an athlete and her father that I would be here next year so she would sign her scholarship papers," Beyers said. "I thought Dave was more professional than that. He proved me wrong."
Brown was close to Beyers and went so far as to say she "respects him more than any man in the world."
"We're not losing a coach here," Brown said. "We're losing a mentor, a friend and family member. People's grades were not good when we came here. Now we have people on the Dean's List. Coach Beyers inspired all of that."
Astrauskas said that while Brown will be hard to replace on and off the track, he understands she might find more personal success elsewhere.
Now, five weeks before the beginning of fall semester, the decorated athlete has cut all ties with the university.
"I will not be coming back," Brown said. "As far as SIUE is concerned, that bridge is burned."
The announcement came two days after assistant track and field coach Ben Beyers was let go by the university.
On Thursday, Beyers, who recently won national assistant coach of the year, confirmed the university's decision to move in another direction.
Beyers said with the program going Division I, they needed more full time coaches, and he is part time.
"I don't really have a problem with that," Beyers said. "The only concern I obviously had is this decision was thought of back in January, and I was told I would be back. In the middle of March, (head track and field coach) Dave Astrauskas told me he would definitely have me back."
Astrauskas had no comment on the Beyers situation, and SIUE Athletic Director Brad Hewitt was unavailable for comment as of Tuesday afternoon.
Beyers said Astrauskas was not only dishonest with him but also with the athletes.
"He assured an athlete and her father that I would be here next year so she would sign her scholarship papers," Beyers said. "I thought Dave was more professional than that. He proved me wrong."
Brown was close to Beyers and went so far as to say she "respects him more than any man in the world."
"We're not losing a coach here," Brown said. "We're losing a mentor, a friend and family member. People's grades were not good when we came here. Now we have people on the Dean's List. Coach Beyers inspired all of that."
Astrauskas said that while Brown will be hard to replace on and off the track, he understands she might find more personal success elsewhere.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11
Alum
posted 7/16/08 @ 11:59 AM CST
The Athletic Department needs to get their act together quickly. Ever since the switch to D-I, it's been one PR disaster after another. First, with the wrestling program losing their facility which subsequently led to the resignation of their very talented young head coach. (Continued…)
Athlete
posted 7/16/08 @ 9:55 PM CST
I hate to say it, but right now SIUE is the laughing stcok of D1 sports. We can't keep our coaching staff together, let alone fill stadiums and arenas during home games. (Continued…)
Student
posted 7/16/08 @ 9:57 PM CST
Where is football when you need it?
glvc member
posted 7/18/08 @ 1:21 PM CST
wow, shorty was bad and she was cute. The glvc only had a couple of beast in it and Deserea led the pack. Its a shame that she went to SIUE and they didnt no how to treat her, coach beyers was the only person she trusted at that school and even people on the outside could see that he knew what he was doing. (Continued…)
Athlete
posted 7/20/08 @ 5:33 PM CST
First off Coach Astrauskus is an amazing coach and it was ultimately not his decision. And he is not the type of person that would go behind your back and lie to you just to get you to sign with his team. (Continued…)
Athletics
posted 8/06/08 @ 12:21 AM CST
Ms. Brown is a wonderful athlete, and Dave and Ben are excellent coaches, however there is far more to this decision than was under Dave's control. Ms. (Continued…)
Student
posted 8/18/08 @ 1:11 AM CST
Good riddance to another spoiled athlete. Deserea Brown has received 3 years of free education from SIUE and she leaves without completing her degree. (Continued…)
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