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Printer-Friendly ModeRoper fired for alleged financial misconduct; Tim Rousse steps in
April 4, 2011 —
Everett Roper helped turn the Cardinals into a national power when he took over as softball coach four years ago.
While the Cardinals are again in the hunt for a GLIAC championship, they will have to move on without Roper, who was fired Friday for alleged financial misconduct, according to a University press release.
“We are deeply disappointed by incidents of unacceptable financial misconduct by Mr. Roper,” SVSU Director of Athletic Media Relations Matthew Woodbury wrote in a statement.
The University did not go into further detail about the situation.
Attempts to reach some of the players were unsuccessful.
Assistant coach Tim Rousse will take over on an interim basis. Rousse has a background in coaching. He coached one year at Madonna University where he worked with the middle infielders. Before moving onto the collegiate ranks, Rousse was an assistant coach from 1990-1992 at Bay City All Saints.
Under Roper, the Cardinals achieved national success. He compiled a 120-52 record, including leading the Cardinals to a berth in the 2009 NCAA Division II Super Regionals. However, Roper’s tenure was marked with off-the-field trouble.
In 2010, Roper was suspended for 30 days after accepting a plea agreement on drunken driving and drug possession charges.
SVSU decided to part ways after the most recent incident.
The Cardinals are 4-0 since the coaching change.