Fired Oakland Univ. women’s basketball coach allegedly imposed religious beliefs on player
Following the firing of Oakland University’s women’s basketball coach Beckie Francis earlier this month, there has been nothing but silence from the university and Francis on the matter.
However, after The Oakland Press reported on Tuesday that Francis allegedly imposed her religious beliefs on former player Jenna Bachrouche, speculation has begun if the smoking gun to Francis’ firing had been found.
So far, the answer is still unclear. Bachrouche, a Muslim, apparently came forward after Francis’ firing, stating that the coach “attempted to convert her to Christianity.”
Bachrouche later spoke in more detail with the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday, revealing that Francis invited players over for mandatory Christmas parties and even had a player read the nativity story from the bible.
According to Bachrouche’s account to the Free Press, after many other instances of religious pressuring - including Francis telling Bachrouche that she should get a DVD on how to be a “Palestinian Christian Muslim” - Bachrouche went to Oakland athletic director Tracy Huth to share her issues and request to be transferred. Bachrouche left Oakland after 2012 and enrolled at Western Michigan, where she will continue her basketball career after sitting out a year.