Last week two members of USA Ball Hockey's leadership recorded themselves making disparaging comments against USA's women's national team in the final moments and as the celebration began for their World Championship gold medal win.

The first, Cory Herschk, a member of USA Ball Hockey's Executive Board, issued an apology for his comments demeaning the performance of USA's women's team, who shutout host Czechia 1-0 for gold.  Herschk is also USA Ball Hockey's Director of Hockey Operations.

"I'm getting ready to send this to Barstool, and Spittin Chiclets, the NHL...what a boring ass hockey game," Herschk said in the video.

Sources have now confirmed the second voice in the video as USA Ball Hockey Assistant Director of Hockey Operations Mike Albright.

"Sorry to say that's women's hockey," Albright said in the video, which was followed by laughter.

At the 2024 World Championships, Herschk was USA's head coach, while Albright, whose sons Jordan Albright and Drew Albright were both members of USA's bronze medal winning roster, was the general manger. None of the Albright's, nor Herschk were part of USA Ball Hockey's 2026 gold medal winning roster.

Albright did not reply to The Hockey News' requests for comment, neither did USA Ball Hockey regarding Albright and his comments despite USA Ball Hockey's initial statement on the issue claiming they are "committed to learning from this situation, communicating more thoughtfully, and continuing to treat everyone with respect. We hope, through our actions moving forward, that we strengthen the confidence and trust of everyone involved."

Multiple members of USA's women's national team spoke to The Hockey News, along with other women who have worked as partners with USA Ball Hockey on the premise of anonymity, due to fear of consequences from the organization, expressing their anger at the comments and how they depicted women in sport.

Those issues however, were not discussed as isolated to the video, which was shared by Herschk himself. Rather, the individuals who spoke to The Hockey News said that it's a trend within USA Ball Hockey to place women as secondary.

"There are people in this organization that have made decisions and comments that have been degrading towards women for years without accountability," said one source. 

In reference to current leadership, a source stated that "they don't hold women to the same standards."

Some raised concern about the past removal of Alessandra Glista, a member of the ISBHF Hall of Fame without explanation. Glista founded the United Women's Ball Hockey Foundation and was USA Ball Hockey's first women's Development Director.

The sentiment from partners and stakeholders within USA Ball Hockey is that programming designed to bring more women and girls into the sport continues to be stonewalled by men in leadership roles.

USA Ball Hockey has refused all additional comment on the video, participants, and their own public statement which drew criticism from stakeholders and national team members.

The Hockey News also reached out to the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation for comment on the ongoing issues within USA Ball Hockey.