Lexi Donarski entering transfer portal

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cyputz

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Jul 26, 2006
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Do not know, but my guess is no.
We do not have a fan base that would donate the needed money to make that happen.
If we state we have a fan base that “would”, it’s already to late
 
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AlCyJim

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Aug 11, 2022
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The gal from Michigan a few yrs back dark hair great defender transferred out at Christmas break if I remember right.
Scholl I think was her name.
She was playing hurt and Bill made a comment about the play of pops playing hurt and doing a good job and kinda made scholl mad. I did not blame her for being mad and hope I remember it correctly.
 

Junejax

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I don't believe it's locker room related in that there were issues between the girls. I think the girls were all really close. I think it was locker room related in that the head coach pushed many of them too far. And with player mobility being what it is, there just isn't a reason to continue to put up with that as a player.

I would also say I'd look real hard at how the staff is comprised. With one assistant being a son and the others being such long time assistants, I'm not sure there's much of an outlet for the girls to express their troubles.

To me, it's two things. First, it's player mobility. You don't have to stick around anymore. Second, it's a focus on athlete mental health. I think players have put more value on their emotional health to the point they aren't going to be belittled and degraded anymore, and rightfully so. "Sports" isn't a reason to allow yourself to be treated in a way that you wouldn't be treated in any other sector of society.

Maybe less of the "Iowa State Way" nonsense on Twitter and more of putting that into action in the way you treat your players.
”Iowa State Way” always reads to me as quite heavy-handed. And, for all that is great about a family atmosphere in a program and the stability this staff has provided, I agree with this point about players not having much of an outlet to work through issues.

Hope Lexi finds a great, fresh opportunity. I miss her already.
 

WartburgClone

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Scholl I think was her name.
She was playing hurt and Bill made a comment about the play of pops playing hurt and doing a good job and kinda made scholl mad. I did not blame her for being mad and hope I remember it correctly.
I remember clearly:

During game 2 of the Cyclone Challenge against Buffalo a timeout was called and Bill blew up on Schroll sort of away from the bench. When that was done she put chin on hand, elbow on knee, foot on chair. You could tell then and there that she had played her last game for Iowa State.
 

cyputz

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Jessica Schroll? Does anybody remember the game where she made a mistake on the court and during the timeout, Bill stormed out at her and started yelling at her to the point where she cried? If he’s willing to act like that in front of fans and her parents who were at the game, how does he act behind closed doors?
We were front row, behind the bench for that fiasco. Jessica’s parent came to the game to support her and change her mind to stay. After that game, they were helping her pack her bags!
That was my last women's game, did not even sell my seats, I gave them away - and I never renewed the tickets.

Check into other WBB, who prefer not to come back and watch, unless a few would go together - and these were all-conf players.
 

Trice

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”Iowa State Way” always reads to me as quite heavy-handed. And, for all that is great about a family atmosphere in a program and the stability this staff has provided, I agree with this point about players not having much of an outlet to work through issues.

Hope Lexi finds a great, fresh opportunity. I miss her already.

I'm probably jaded from watching the nepotism in Iowa City but whenever I hear talk of "family" and "the Iowa State way" coming out of our WBB program it just smacks of an unhealthy possessiveness.

Like, if one of our players has an issue, who is she going to turn to? The coach's son is an assistant, his other assistants have all been with him for decades, his AD is ten thousand percent loyal to him.

These "families" are great when you're in one, and terrible when you find yourself outside one.
 

GoldCy

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For the right price, especially with a sport that runs in the red more years than not. Also the results of the Iowa football and ISU women's basketball have been on par year over year, yet there’s not the same widespread consternation.
It has never come close to breaking even and probably subsidized the most of any program.
 
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casey1973

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I remember clearly:

During game 2 of the Cyclone Challenge against Buffalo a timeout was called and Bill blew up on Schroll sort of away from the bench. When that was done she put chin on hand, elbow on knee, foot on chair. You could tell then and there that she had played her last game for Iowa State.

I remember that very well and there are plenty others. I don't know how many times one of our players maybe traveled or a commited a turnover and by golly he'd just about lose it and sub someone in immediately UNLESS it was one of his chosen few that could do no wrong even when they did the same thing at times.
 

NWICY

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Scholl I think was her name.
She was playing hurt and Bill made a comment about the play of pops playing hurt and doing a good job and kinda made scholl mad. I did not blame her for being mad and hope I remember it correctly.

Didn't know that part really remember her getting chewed out one game and not long after she left. Nice kid saw her at kum and go once and complimented her on her play and that I appreciated her effort on the court. This was before the on court thing so I didn't chase her off;)
 

Cycsk

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It’s devastating for sure. While we are Iowa State fans first, you get attached to these players and when they leave, it makes you hesitant to keep following it as closely because why won’t it just happen again?

I don't know anything about the situation, but I do find myself getting attached to players. Lexi was one of those. It hurts to let her go. Yet, I want her to do what she thinks is best. Will always be cheering for Lexi.
 

Cyburbbalz

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During her post game radio interviews this year I got the feeling that she wasn't having a good time. She really didn't sound happy.

If Ryan is the next to go we are S.O.L. next year.

From winning the Big 12 tournament two weeks ago to this.
I would be even more surprised if Emily

left. I spoke to a family member about 3 weeks ago and was told she's loves it and iowa state was a perfect fit.
 
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isucy86

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I fully admit I have never seen her play. But some people who know a lot about basketball have told me they're unimpressed. One person told me he doesn't even think she'll start. Ever.

Her sister was Miss Wisconsin Basketball and as far as I know we didn't recruit her. Could the family be upset about this? She signed with Montana.
I wouldn't think so. Her sister Macy originally committed to SLU in Fall 2021, but SLU fired Lisa Stone (former Drake Coach) last spring. So Macy reopened her recruitment and committed to Montana about a year ago. So the Donarski family has know Macy was not going to ISU over 18 months ago and based on her recruitment wasn't a P5 recruit.

The puzzling or alarming aspect from the outside is Lexi has been committed to Iowa State since her freshman year. Lexi's relationship with ISU goes that far back because of Lexi's dad's relationship with TJ (going all the way back to TJ's HS days) and Matt Thomas. So there is a very longstanding relationship between Lexi's dad & TJ, TJ & Allison:) and Allison & Fennelly family.

If I am trying to not over react to the news. Have to remember that we don't always know what is going to make us happy or reach our full potential at the age of 14, 18 or hell even 58! Does Lexi feel she needs a fresh start and new system to reach her potential to be a WNBA player? Does Lexi not have WNBA dreams and maybe wants to play with her sister? Dave Donarksi was both Lexi and Macy's HS coach- so having daughters at Iowa State & Montana was going to make for some tough road trips.
 
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AttackOfTheClones

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She either wants to play for a team she thinks has a "chance" to win ight away as next years team will be really young OR there is truly something going on with WBB. This many transfers out, and not just this year, is hard to overlook.
There is a common denominator here with the state of the wbb program. ~ so many are avoiding or are ignorant to it :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
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RoseClone

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um no........ it's deeper than that and don't be surprised if this isn't the last defection

Time to retire Bill...........and JP--clean house.

Get a talented young female coach like Jennie Baranczyk of OU. and an aggressive staff like the old days; i.e. Brenda Frese, Katie Abrahamson, Robin Pingeton.

All from eastern Iowa
Hell, let's hire Gino.
 
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