I spoke with a UND athlete on Wednesday morning. She mentioned that they had been told that a decision regarding cuts would be made that day, and that once the press conference had been set, they would be notified via text and would need to report immediately (maybe for a individual meeting...she didn't say). I would guess that the WIH team had the same directive, but of course had a previously scheduled practice to attend that afternoon.
So, in a way, all of the athletes (and of course coaches) knew that something was going down on Wednesday, but not necessarily the specifics. Until the leak, anyway.
My interpretation, anyway.