‘She broke athletes’: Cheerleaders allege injury neglect, hostility by head coach of 18 years

Editor’s Note: Seven sources for this story spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation. Pseudonyms have been used for readability. Two sources chose to use their real first names. Nine current and former members of the Stanford Cheer Team told The Daily that Head Cheer Coach Sarah Levine has neglected concerns of safety, overworking cheerleaders to the point of serious injury, including a concussion and back injury. They described a hostile team environment that Levine allegedly cultivated through yelling and public humiliation. “It’s probably the most visibly abusive experience that I’ve ever had in my life,” said Rush ’27, who experienced a concussion and spoke on the condition that only his first name be used to protect online privacy. “I felt like I could not leave because I was too scared to leave.” Levine began coaching in fall 2008 as a volunteer assistant coach and then transitioned to become interim head coach later that year.

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