Player Abuse Allegations: Green Bay to Investigate Coach Brian Wardle

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, Wisconsin-Green Bay will begin an investigation into allegations against head coach Brian Wardle after receiving accusations of verbal and emotional mistreatment from the parents of former center Ryan Bross.

Bross redshirted this season and informed the university that he would be transferring to Concordia University in Mequon, Wis.

His parents reported the alleged abuse in a letter to the university on Tuesday.

University Chancellor Thomas Harden stated that an outside agency will handle the investigation and that Wardle will be allowed to work during the investigation.

"We’re acting quickly," Harden said. "We’re going to move assertively and bring this to a conclusion as fast as we can."

Wardle released a statement earlier today: "I will be supportive of this process and I’m confident in the findings. I will have no further comment until it is concluded."

Bross is the fourth player to leave the program since the middle of February. Kam Cerroni left during the season citing differences with Wardle. Harden would not comment on whether the differences were related to the same issues as Bross. Nick Arenz and Sultan Muhammad are also transferring.

The 33-year-old head coach is in his third year coaching the Phoenix. He has led Green Bay to a 47-49 record and an appearance in the CollegeInsider.com Basketball Tournament this season.