Tab Baldwin Steps Down as Ateneo Blue Eagles Coach Amid Controversy
TAB BALDWIN – The Ateneo basketball program faces uncertainty following the sudden resignation of coach Tab Baldwin amid an ongoing investigation.
Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin has officially resigned from his position following the deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili. The resignation was confirmed by Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Roberto Yap SJ, who stated that Baldwin voluntarily stepped down from his role while investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
The move comes after the Ateneo de Manila University Board of Trustees ordered a fact-finding inquiry regarding the tragic incident that occurred during the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
During a press conference held on June 15, Fr. Roberto formally announced Baldwin’s resignation as head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“We thank him for the years of service for the Blue Eagle. But as we appear on the institutional review, change in leadership is necessary to ensure a full integrity of our sports program and safety protocols covering them,” explained Fr. Roberto.
The university leadership emphasized the need to review existing systems and strengthen safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We must look inward, examine our systems, and rebuild a structure for athletic programs so that our fields and playing… places where dreams are nurtured and not broken,” he said.
The university’s ongoing institutional review aims to assess not only athletic safety measures but also leadership structures within its sports programs.
Before the announcement of Baldwin’s resignation, he and three other members of the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team’s top management failed to appear before Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office on Monday.
According to the DILG, members of the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team’s top management will be issued another subpoena requiring them to face authorities on Friday, June 19.
As investigations continue, the Ateneo community and the public await the results of the inquiry, hoping for accountability, reforms, and stronger safety measures for student-athletes moving forward.
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