Swim Coaches in Trouble

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

smontanaro — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 08:46:25 GMT

Probably nothing new here, but there is an opinion piece in Huffington Post about the coaching abuse scandal in USA Swimming. It does extend the horizon of the scandal to US Speedskating, USA Taekwondo, and USA Volleyball. It also mentions that Aly Raisman is suing USOC for its silence about Larry Nassar. www.huffingtonpost.com/.../opinion-luther-swimming-abuse_us_5a9e8929e4b089ec353e8faa

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 05:59:43 GMT

Here's a story on the subject: "USA Swimming president responds to report detailing widespread sexual abuse in organization": www.aol.com/.../

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Former Member — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:35:54 GMT

I swam for Bill Jewell at Newport Beach which was probably the first team he coach back in 1973 and 1974. I don't remember him making lewd comments about girls breasts but he might have changed when he coached Fast and Golden West

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Former Member — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 13:33:18 GMT

There is nothing inherently bad about the sport. However, it is very, very different than a great many other ones. The relationship between coaches and swimmers is very unique and individualistic for several reasons. First, start with teh fact that the sexes train together, unlike more popular team sports. The head coaches are more often than not, males. The fact that it is an individual sport means that swimmers get individual attention from their coaches at a level that exceeds most by a pretty long shot. Perhaps the biggest difference is the amount of time the two spend together. Not just the fact that a lot of high school kids spend a ridiculous number of hours in the pool (e.g. my daughter, 13, is working to get in over 17 hours per week during school, and 19 hours per week in the Summer), but they may start working together as early as 6-7 years old. Girls in particular can start excelling at a very young age, and some as young as 12 are making J-Nats, Trials, etc. By 13, the better ones are training with the senior swimmers (on our team, the fastest female swimmer in each event is just 13), so they may be training with the same head coach for 6 seasons. That's a long time to develop a level of trust. Add to that that girls in particular that age often seek approval from folks other than their parents, and it makes them more susceptible to the influence of a coach. I'm not saying that child predators are more likely to be in swimming, but I'm saying that people whose judgement may lapse are more exposed to opportunity in swimming than in a great many other activities.d So no, nothing inherent in swimming, but the environment certainly is different. And there have been tons of cases like this one where an older coach has a very, very inappropriate relationship with his swimmers. How true, girl swimmers mature so fast in the sport and yes there are some bad coaches.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Swimosaur — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 03:24:51 GMT

Today in The Orange County Register: 100s of USA swimmers were sexually abused for decades and the people in charge knew and ignored it, investigation finds By SCOTT M. REID | PUBLISHED: February 16, 2018 at 10:59 am | UPDATED: February 17, 2018 at 11:38 am For decades the sexual abuse of young athletes by their coaches lingered just beneath the surface in American swimming’s otherwise golden waters ... Link --> Link Full URL: www.ocregister.com/.../ Wow.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Redbird Alum — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:51:49 GMT

USA Swimming now requires coaches to complete a regime of Safe Sport training, that includes a lot of great information for maintaining proper relations with athletes, and eliminating opportunities for infractions. There is also a well structured program for the athletes and their parents, including how to report any concerns. As with any sport, there will always be bad apples.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

knelson — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:44:23 GMT

I'm confident USA Swimming has come a long way in their approach to things like this since 2010. I really hope they have.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

67King — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 08:47:56 GMT

Swimming is a clean sport. Some people take advantage of swimmers, that is not good. Crapping on the sport because of the weakness of a few is just lazy. Another sorry takeaway from this is how many good people are going to get lumped in with the bad. There is nothing inherently bad about the sport. However, it is very, very different than a great many other ones. The relationship between coaches and swimmers is very unique and individualistic for several reasons. First, start with teh fact that the sexes train together, unlike more popular team sports. The head coaches are more often than not, males. The fact that it is an individual sport means that swimmers get individual attention from their coaches at a level that exceeds most by a pretty long shot. Perhaps the biggest difference is the amount of time the two spend together. Not just the fact that a lot of high school kids spend a ridiculous number of hours in the pool (e.g. my daughter, 13, is working to get in over 17 hours per week during school, and 19 hours per week in the Summer), but they may start working together as early as 6-7 years old. Girls in particular can start excelling at a very young age, and some as young as 12 are making J-Nats, Trials, etc. By 13, the better ones are training with the senior swimmers (on our team, the fastest female swimmer in each event is just 13), so they may be training with the same head coach for 6 seasons. That's a long time to develop a level of trust. Add to that that girls in particular that age often seek approval from folks other than their parents, and it makes them more susceptible to the influence of a coach. I'm not saying that child predators are more likely to be in swimming, but I'm saying that people whose judgement may lapse are more exposed to opportunity in swimming than in a great many other activities.d So no, nothing inherent in swimming, but the environment certainly is different. And there have been tons of cases like this one where an older coach has a very, very inappropriate relationship with his swimmers.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

ande — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 07:30:04 GMT

True. Sad. www.cnn.com/.../ This is a big one: swimswam.com/.../

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Former Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 06:05:10 GMT

It's about time this blew up. Something better come of it this time. USAS is the biggest sham I ever got involved in. So glad I've removed myself and my name from it every way I could. I used to think swimming was such a clean sport, USAS sure changed that.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Michael Heather — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 01:35:49 GMT

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

knelson — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 11:35:29 GMT

This is a big one: swimswam.com/.../

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

knelson — Mon, 02 May 2016 06:31:13 GMT

Joe Bernal just received a lifetime ban: swimswam.com/.../

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

ande — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:41:57 GMT

Coach Tim O'brien banned for Life swimswam.com/.../ www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../ swimswam.com/.../ There’s no doubt that around the country there are many more perpetrators, victims, & witnesses who've remained silent. It is OK to speak or write your truth and get justice. USA Swimming’s Safe Sport Code of Conduct www.usaswimming.org/ViewMiscArticle.aspx USA Swimmings Complaint Process www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx INDIVIDUALS SUSPENDED OR INELIGIBLE – PERMANENTLY It cites the reason/s. www.usaswimming.org/ViewMiscArticle.aspx INDIVIDUALS SUSPENDED OR INELIGIBLE – SPECIFIC DATE usaswimming.org/ViewMiscArticle.aspx If you are a victim or a witness report your concern If Your Concern Deals with Any of the Following: Sexual Misconduct Sexual Harassment Criminal Charges Use, Sale, or Distribution of illegal drugs Physical Abuse Inappropriate Touching Lap Sitting Coaches sharing hotel rooms with Athletes Rubdown or Massage performed by coaches Pictures or video taken in locker rooms or changing areas Sexually Explicit/Inappropriate Communication through Social Media REPORT TO USA SWIMMING fs22.formsite.com/.../index.html

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Chris Stevenson — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 07:24:53 GMT

Outside magazine article www.outsideonline.com/.../The-Sex-Abuse-Scandal-Plaguing-USA-Swimming.html Thanks for posting, Ande, that's an incredible piece. My wife had told me about the article -- we subscribe to Outside magazine -- but I hadn't gotten around to reading it. Having a link to an online version was convenient www.beyondchron.org/.../ ... a 15-page article by writer Rachel Sturtz in the December issue of Outside magazine, which hits newsstands today. It is the best hope in years for getting this multi-generational, Catholic Church-scale national disgrace the attention it deserves, and for spurring investigations set in motion over the summer by retiring Congressman George Miller of California’s 11th District and several offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Michael Heather — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 02:26:49 GMT

Plumbers? You have to soil their reputations by linking them to priests and politicians? Or is it just the attraction if alliteration?

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

orca1946 — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 05:10:44 GMT

Humans --- most are good, BUT can be wrong in ANY field. Priests,cops,dads,moms,politicians,plumbers etc. We ,as the good ones, must watch our loved & cared for ones to try to alert others of the wrong people.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

ande — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:00:49 GMT

Outside magazine article www.outsideonline.com/.../The-Sex-Abuse-Scandal-Plaguing-USA-Swimming.html

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

ande — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 09:55:48 GMT

Md. Swim Coach Accused Of Sexually Abusing Former Student NCAA accuses Georgia, Bauerle of major violations

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

ande — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 02:23:53 GMT

Former Chattahoochee Gold Head Site Coach Neil Savage Admits to Relationship With High School Athlete If you read the COMMENTS section below the article many of his swimmers and swim parents came to his defense. Several cite "she was 18 at the time, the age of consent in Georgia is 16, I see nothing wrong with that." Many felt SwimSwam shouldn't have shared his letter. I've never seen any story on swimswam get as many comments. I'm curious why he decided to reveal the relationship now. Was the info about to break and he wanted to get ahead of it or did he have a crisis of conscience and did the right thing? I'm curious to see how USA Swimming rules on his case.

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

no200fly — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 12:41:19 GMT

I guess it's not just swim coaches: www.nydailynews.com/.../noble-burglar-reports-suspected-pedophile-police-article-1.1553985

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

ande — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 11:59:59 GMT

Accuser Moran: Banning Ivey Was the Right Thing to Do

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

ande — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 04:40:26 GMT

Tualatin Hills Swim Club removes Paul Bergen's name from swim meet following abuse allegations www.oregonlive.com/.../tualatin_hills_swim_club_remov.html

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Former Member — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 06:47:34 GMT

Mr curl's current whereabouts www.dpscs.state.md.us/.../search.do

RE: Swim Coaches in Trouble

Former Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:15:50 GMT

I read the victim's statement and have a remark on the culture of mid 1980s curl swim club I recall t shirts with the phrase 'curl girls go faster' worn by a female teammate/h.s. Classmate. This is of course a double entendre.