Emotional Abuse in College Sports: Marta and Marija Galic’s Story

The world of college sports is often painted as a place of opportunity and growth. But for Marta and Marija Galic, their dream of playing college basketball in the U.S. quickly spiraled into something else—emotional abuse and psychological trauma.

This blog post looks into their experience at the University of San Francisco (USF) with coach Molly Goodenbour. It’s a glimpse into the often-hidden issue of emotional abuse in college sports. For the full story, you can check out the article on NPR.

The Beginning of a Dream

Marta and Marija Galic grew up in Zagreb, Croatia, always dreaming about playing college basketball in the States. They started out on local courts, eventually making it to the U20 Croatian national team.

Their talent caught the eye of several U.S. colleges. USF, led by coach Molly Goodenbour, offered them both full scholarships and the chance to play together. That sealed the deal for the twins.

A Promising Start

Arriving at USF in 2018, Marta and Marija felt excited and hopeful. They joined a team mostly made up of freshmen and international students.

Goodenbour was in her third season as head coach. But the supportive environment they’d expected started to fade as their coach’s behavior shifted.

The Reality of Emotional Abuse

Almost right away, Marta and Marija noticed how much Goodenbour’s demeanor changed. Strict coaching was nothing new for them, but this felt different—more damaging, honestly.

Marta testified that Goodenbour called her lazy and worthless, among other things. The toxic atmosphere took a serious toll on both sisters’ mental health.

A Traumatic Incident

One practice stands out. During a tough drill, Marta needed to use the restroom. Goodenbour and an assistant coach denied her, over and over.

Eventually, Marta lost control of her bladder on the court. Even then, Goodenbour wouldn’t let her clean up. After that, Marta started taking frequent bathroom trips—a clear sign of the trauma she was experiencing.

The Legal Battle

In 2021, Marta and Marija filed a lawsuit against Goodenbour and USF, citing intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. The case revealed a pattern of abusive behavior by Goodenbour at USF and even at her previous coaching jobs at Chico State and UC Irvine.

The Verdict

The trial lasted ten days. The jury found that Goodenbour’s actions were outrageous and caused severe emotional distress to Marija, but not to Marta.

Marija received $250,000 in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages. USF tried to overturn the decision, but appellate judges restored Marija’s award and allowed a re-trial for Marta, which led to a settlement.

The Aftermath

The effects lingered long after. Marija struggled with panic attacks and depression and eventually left the team.

Marta pushed through, transferring to Tulane University. She kept playing basketball while working on her MBA.

Moving Forward

Despite everything, the sisters managed to carve out new paths. Marija graduated with a degree in architecture and now lives in New York City, working toward an MFA in interior design.

Marta graduated summa cum laude from USF. She’s still excelling at Tulane, both on the court and in the classroom.

A Call to Action

Marta and Marija Galic’s story really hits home. It’s a stark reminder that college sports need some serious systemic change.

Schools should put student-athletes’ well-being first. They’ve got to create stronger policies that actually prevent and address emotional abuse.