With allegations that women's tennis head coach Dawna Prevette bullies and verbally abuses her players, the university must launch an immediate investigation for the protection of its students athletes.

Two of Prevette's No. 1 seeded players left or were dismissed from the team, and those remaining said Prevette cares little about individual players and only about winning.

Prevette's athletes, including two top players who were recruited from Europe, said they hate playing for her. Players are allegedly suspended without reason, or let go with no explanation.

Prevette said she is a tough coach who asks a lot of her players. It appears her only goal is winning, not the well being of her players. But in her effort to succeed at all costs, she is driving away top recruits that could achieve that goal.

Also, the Nittany Lions have the worst record in the Big Ten during Prevette's two years at Penn State, with a 13-32 record. A win at all costs attitude is not working.

Complaints by players should not fall on deaf ears. This type of controversy has happened before with former women's basketball coach Rene Portland. The complaints against her should have taught the university that delayed action hurts every party involved.

Portland resigned in March 2007 after allegations of anti-discrimination were investigated. But it took years and a number of complaints before the university took action, and the school paid the cost with bad publicity and a morale-battered team in need of a coach.

Prevette's athletes seem confused and angry, but mostly lost as they look for someone to talk to about the coach that is responsible for mentoring and educating them. Even if no official violations have taken place, a coach is charged with the well being of his or her players, and the university is responsible for protecting its players.

The continual complaints point to flaws in the system for choosing a coach as well as the reporting system for players after a coach is selected. Prevette allegedly had similar problems at a previous coaching position, which should have been considered in the hiring process.

In addition, the athletes must have a place to turn when they have problems with their coach. The university can improve on both systems.

Senior captain Dorothy Dohanics said she spoke with an athletic official about the atmosphere of the team with no results. Officials can not simply ignore the complaints of students.

"Success with honor" is a mantra of Penn State athletics. The women's tennis program appears to have neither. The athletic department and university, which are ultimately responsible for the team and its players, can't ignore the complaints of student athletes.