Editor’s note: This is a column and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Daily Barometer.

Sports should be a source of empowerment, a place where athletes not only grow in physical strength, but emotionally and as a person. As a collegiate rower at Oregon State University, I have been fortunate enough to experience an environment that fosters growth, positivity, and teamwork. 

Rowing has become a passion of mine, specifically at OSU, because of the amazing team culture and coaching staff that continually motivates me to strive for greatness. This greatness comes not only on the water, but as a person in my endeavors beyond athletics. 

However, my journey to finding this sport was not without its struggles, and it has brought to light to the common abuse of power and negative impacts it can have on young athletes. 

Before I found my place in rowing, I was once a competitive swimmer. In swimming, I encountered a coach whose leadership style was not found in nurturing me as an athlete. Rather than focusing on helping me grow outside of sport, the coach used their position of power to control and manipulate athletes, which led to not only me, but my fellow teammates, losing their love for the sport. 

Their attitude towards training was rooted in what seemed to be something they were unable of achieving during their time as an athlete, pushing athletes to their breaking points rather than encouraging growth, especially as a 12-year-old swimmer. I began to lose my passion for the sport as a result, and the damage done to my love for swimming went far beyond the physical challenges. 

It was a toxic environment that made me question my place in sports entirely. In hindsight, it was an experience that opened my eyes to the underlying issue of power abuse in many athletic programs, especially looking back on the experience now.

Unfortunately, my experience is not unique. Recently, the troubling situation at Western Oregon University has drawn attention to the darker side of collegiate sports. Nine athletes from the university are suing the institution, alleging emotional and physical abuse at the hands of a former coach. 

The allegations include claims of bullying, mistreatment, and an environment that fostered fear and intimidation instead of positive development. The athletes themselves are speaking out against the abuse they endured and bringing forward attention to a problem that must be addressed. 

The sad truth is that incidents like this are not isolated. There is a large pattern in some athletic programs where power is abused, and the wellbeing of the athletes takes a backseat.

While most coaches are in the field to help athletes reach their full potential, there are those who cross the line between discipline and abuse. The emotional scars left by these toxic environments often take years to heal, and in some cases, they leave athletes with a lifetime of trauma, completely turning them away from the sports they once loved.

The pressure to perform, combined with the lack of emotional support, can lead to burnout, anxiety, and/or depression.

What is even more disturbing is that this problem is not confined to professional levels of sport. Junior level programs, as well as collegiate programs, are particularly vulnerable to this kind of abuse because athletes are still developing and learning to navigate the complexities of their sport. 

Personally, I have gone into junior level coaching with the goal of being a person that brings compassion, love, and growth to an athlete. I want to be able to show athletes that they are more than their sport.

The recent legal action at Western Oregon serves as a powerful reminder that something must change. There needs to be a greater emphasis on the well-being of student-athletes, and coaches should be held to higher standards of accountability. 

It is crucial that universities, athletic departments, and coaching staff work together to create safe and supportive environments where athletes can thrive, not just physically but emotionally. 

By providing the proper resources, prioritizing mental health, and emphasizing a positive, growth-oriented atmosphere, we can begin to shift the culture in sports toward one that builds up athletes rather than tears them down.

My own experience in sports has shown me how powerful a positive atmosphere can be, and I am grateful that I have found that at Oregon State. I have had the chance to rediscover my love for athletics in an environment that truly nurtures me as not only an athlete, but a person. Without it, I would not be the person I am today. 

However, I know that not all athletes are so lucky. It is time for us to listen to the voices of those who have suffered from abuse in sports and take real action to change the culture. Only then can we truly ensure that sports remain a place where athletes are empowered, not broken.

The ongoing case at Western Oregon is a call to action for all of us as athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans, to take a stand against power abuse and create a more supportive athletic community for everyone.