TEMPE — Arizona State baseball head coach Willie Bloomquist didn’t hold back in his postgame press conference Thursday night, issuing a fiery statement condemning online threats made toward his players and their families.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Coming off a 10-4 victory over Texas Tech to improve to 24-14 on the season, Bloomquist began his availability by addressing the recent backlash his team has received following a tough weekend series they lost at Cincinnati.
“We had a tough weekend. That stung a little bit,” Bloomquist said. “And my players compete their asses off, regardless of win or loss.”
Arizona State manager Willie Bloomquist calls for a replay against Ohio State during the first inning at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Feb. 16, 2025.
The Sun Devils dropped two games against the Bearkats, but Bloomquist said the criticism crossed the line when it turned into threats. He made clear that any hostility directed at his players should be aimed at him instead.
“If you’re gonna threaten my players… threaten me instead,” he said. “My office is right upstairs, you’re welcome anytime.”
Bloomquist, now in his fourth season as head coach of his alma mater, was visibly angry as he defended his players — many of whom are teenagers navigating the pressures of college baseball. He accused online users of hiding behind burner accounts and targeting student-athletes who are giving their all for the program.
“These are college kids. They’re not pros,” Bloomquist said. “They’re competing their butts off out there, and sometimes they’re going to give it up, sometimes we’re going to go through a tough stretch. That does not give people the right to get onto social media and threaten my players.”
He added, “That’s bull—. That’s cowardice. If you want to threaten someone, threaten me. These are my kids, and I’m going to protect the shit out of them.”
The Sun Devils bounced back with a convincing win, and Bloomquist hopes the focus will return to the game. Still, his message that player safety and mental well-being come first was loud and clear— and their head coach has their back.
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Reporter Reyna Stanley covers the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on X @rey_stanley776.
