Rosie Cruz on athlete abuse at Loyola Marymount University and an “NCAA problem”

Social Sport

April 19, 2021

CW: This episode mentions eating disorders, psychological abuse, and attempted suicide

Rosie Cruz has exhibited immense strength and bravery in sharing her story, and the entire story of psychological abuse, enabled disordered eating, and physical and emotional harm in the Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Cross Country and Track programs. This story is not new. We’ve heard it before. It carries different names every time—Nike Oregon Project, Wesleyan University, University of Arizona, etc. There is a problem in the sport of distance running, and especially in the NCAA. Only through strong voices like Rosie’s can we push for systemic change.

Rosie is a Division I cross country and track runner for Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She is a senior studying Political Science and Women’s Studies, and currently works as a legislative aide for Colorado State Representative, Lindsey Daugherty. Rosie is passionate about running, politics, social justice, and being outdoors.

Discussed in this episode:

–Rosie’s open letter about abuse in LMU program, March 26th

–Rosie’s open letter to the NCAA, March 27th

–32:04: the term “ghost pains” and minimizing women’s pain

–35:05: social media stalking and manipulation

–44:50: “When you talk about abuse, people don’t believe you unless you have bruises on you. I have had to go through these stories time and time again and people are still justifying [the abuse]. Because psychological abuse isn’t a thing that you can see; it’s something you carry with you.”

–49:07: “The one thing I want from this is a community of people who can envision change, demand it, and keep pushing the sport in the right direction.”

–54:02: Systemic problems within the structure of the NCAA

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*This episode is sponsored by OPE Running. Go to operunning.com and use code SOCIALSPORT for 15% off your order.