The Justice

"No one was going in there maliciously, like, 'let's get her fired," Schimmel said. "We were all really shocked when it happened."

Sullivan said that she was just as surprised by the department's decision to terminate her.

"Every year there's always things that I can improve on, and I listen to everything they have to say and take all that into consideration," Sullivan said. "I guess I'm as flabbergasted as [the players] are."

A major concern for one player was the pace of the team's improvement.

"When you take a test and get the same answer wrong every time you take it for three years, you're doing something wrong," Rubin said. "We just needed a change to the program."

Schimmel said she believed the team had the potential to go over .500 in their conference and overall record.

"Softball has changed so much since Coach Sullivan played," she said. "She was a little bit behind in her methods. We want to be a breakout team."

Mayer said one specific concern was a lack of feedback from the entire coaching staff, especially regarding hitting.

"Our team would hardly receive any criticism or praise," Mayer said. "Even though we're at a college level, sometimes we need criticism and sometimes we need help."

Sullivan said that she believed her and her staff were responsive to the player's concerns.

"[Hitting problems] were addressed by all three coaches everyday in practice," Sullivan said.

Meanwhile, players said the loss of a coach has caused the team to miss out on roster cuts and general training.

The department is currently running a national search to replace Sullivan.

"I would like to thank many of the students, colleagues, professors and staff that it has been my pleasure to work with over the past 32 years," Sullivan said in a phone interview. "I have truly enjoyed my associations and have formed lasting friendships. Brandeis was my first employer after college and I have spent my entire professional life on campus."

Sousa said she expects a new coach to be in place "very shortly" and will not name an interim coach.

While practices continue to be run by the captains, players say that they are looking to see the team improve with the addition of a new head coach. With team chemistry already in place, players said, a new coach can help them with the team's more concrete obstacles on the road to a winning season.

"We're hoping for just a better environment and better team dynamic," Rubin said. "Hopefully we'll have someone with ideas on how to execute plays better-just to help us improve in areas were we need help. We think we can be a winning team"

"I'm happy Brandeis is ready to make a change for the better," Schimmel said.

Sullivan said that she did not foresee herself coaching again in the near future, as her age, 54, makes finding another job difficult.

"I wish to express how deeply I will miss many people in the school that had been my home."

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