Mary Sullivan, who was the longest-tenured coach at the University after 32 years of heading up the women's softball program, left the team Thursday, according to Athletic Director Sheryl Sousa. Although Sousa declined to comment on the nature of Sullivan's departure, players said she was fired after numerous complaints they lodged last spring.

"We weren't [complaining] with the intention of getting [Sullivan] fired," leftfielder Marissa Rubin '07 said. "We were just looking for some things to change."

In the 2003 season, the team finished last place in the United Athletic Association with a 9-27 overall record. Last season, the team was 20-24, finishing fourth out of five teams in the UAA.

Sullivan confirmed that she was dismissed from the team.

"You can't improve overnight," Sullivan said in a phone interview about her dismissal. "I feel the team improved a hundred percent [in the last four seasons], and believe [this year's team] will start from 20 wins and work their way up."

Sullivan, the 1993 New England Women's 8 coach of the year and head coach since the team's founding in 1974, expressed displeasure with the athletic department, saying that her termination was handled "poorly" and "took all summer."

Pitcher Danielle Mayer '08, catcher Caitlin Lucas '07, centerfielder Amelia Schimmel '08 and Rubin said they approached Sousa at the end of last season with complaints about Sullivan's player management, her in-game coaching and the team's overall lack of improvement.

Additionally, Mayer said players expressed their complaints about Sullivan on evaluation forms handed to each player at the end of the season.

"As a team, we all want to have a winning season, and it becomes frustrating to lose games the same way over and over," Rubin said. "There were obvious mistakes that were being repeated over and over, and we just got sick of it."

Despite the nature of the complaints, players said they did not intend to get Sullivan fired.

"No one was going in there maliciously, like, 'let's get her fired," Schimmel said. "We were all really shocked when it happened."

Sullivan said that she was just as surprised by the department's decision to terminate her.

"Every year there's always things that I can improve on, and I listen to everything they have to say and take all that into consideration," Sullivan said. "I guess I'm as flabbergasted as [the players] are."

A major concern for one player was the pace of the team's improvement.

"When you take a test and get the same answer wrong every time you take it for three years, you're doing something wrong," Rubin said. "We just needed a change to the program."

Schimmel said she believed the team had the potential to go over .500 in their conference and overall record.

"Softball has changed so much since Coach Sullivan played," she said. "She was a little bit behind in her methods. We want to be a breakout team."

Mayer said one specific concern was a lack of feedback from the entire coaching staff, especially regarding hitting.

"Our team would hardly receive any criticism or praise," Mayer said. "Even though we're at a college level, sometimes we need criticism and sometimes we need help."

Sullivan said that she believed her and her staff were responsive to the player's concerns.

"[Hitting problems] were addressed by all three coaches everyday in practice," Sullivan said.

Meanwhile, players said the loss of a coach has caused the team to miss out on roster cuts and general training.

The department is currently running a national search to replace Sullivan.

"I would like to thank many of the students, colleagues, professors and staff that it has been my pleasure to work with over the past 32 years," Sullivan said in a phone interview. "I have truly enjoyed my associations and have formed lasting friendships. Brandeis was my first employer after college and I have spent my entire professional life on campus."

Sousa said she expects a new coach to be in place "very shortly" and will not name an interim coach.

While practices continue to be run by the captains, players say that they are looking to see the team improve with the addition of a new head coach. With team chemistry already in place, players said, a new coach can help them with the team's more concrete obstacles on the road to a winning season.

"We're hoping for just a better environment and better team dynamic," Rubin said. "Hopefully we'll have someone with ideas on how to execute plays better-just to help us improve in areas were we need help. We think we can be a winning team"

"I'm happy Brandeis is ready to make a change for the better," Schimmel said.

Sullivan said that she did not foresee herself coaching again in the near future, as her age, 54, makes finding another job difficult.

"I wish to express how deeply I will miss many people in the school that had been my home.