Alright, USA Swimming.
Yes, you should apologize. Step up the protection of
our youth and ban these idiots who think they can
get their jollies out on the youth of America.
Do not become like the catholic church and try to sweep
this BS under the rug. Take charge and accept the problems
and DEAL WITH IT!
Parents
Former Member
As a father of a 9 year old little girl, stories like this sicken me to the core. There is a fundamental *blip* in some people's brains that makes them forget that certain behaviors are immoral and unacceptable (see the current crisis with the Church, now the Swim Coaches, and even the cases of female teachers and young male students). Maybe there's a chemical associated with that behavior that is missing, maybe it's in abundance...I don't know, but all I know is that it's wrong.
I love swimming. I love watching people swim. I love helping people learn how to swim. I was a lifeguard all throughout high school and college, I was also a swim instructor and a competitive swimmer. I've always thought about coaching a swim team, but so far the opportunity and the time to create such an opportunity has not presented itself.
When I go to a public pool to swim my workout, if the lanes are full of age-groupers and lap swimmers and masters folks, I will sit on the side and observe. I can be watching a 45 year old man doing butterfly and thinking "You know, his kick timing is off...I wonder if I should tell him...", or I could be watching a 10 year old girl doing freestyle and thinking "That coach should work with her on getting her elbows higher..." However in a situation like that, I usually get odd looks from parents when they realize I'm there to swim, but I'm not swimming yet. Then they see me watching people swim, and maybe they think I'm trying to pick up tips. If they see me watching the kids swim, I can only imagine what they think of me.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I hope these reports don't cast a black shadow on all males who would like to get into swim coaching at some point. As I said before, I love swimming, I love to watch swimming, I love to help people learn how to swim and swim better.
The whole situation falls back onto the personal responsibility and awareness of the coach. No one-on-one meetings with swimmers. If you have something to say that cannot be said on the deck during practice, you better have a second coach or a parent involved.
Also, any parent that agrees to let their child go on a week long stay in another state with their coach, alone, for a swim meet...well, they're either too trusting, or they're oblivious. If my daughter were swimming and her coach wanted to take her to another state for a meet, even for a day-trip, you bet your sweet hiney that I'd be taking a day off and going along - regardless of how long the trip was or how much I trusted that coach. I'd want to be there for my own personal reassurance, and also to give my child the support that a parent should be there to provide.
As a father of a 9 year old little girl, stories like this sicken me to the core. There is a fundamental *blip* in some people's brains that makes them forget that certain behaviors are immoral and unacceptable (see the current crisis with the Church, now the Swim Coaches, and even the cases of female teachers and young male students). Maybe there's a chemical associated with that behavior that is missing, maybe it's in abundance...I don't know, but all I know is that it's wrong.
I love swimming. I love watching people swim. I love helping people learn how to swim. I was a lifeguard all throughout high school and college, I was also a swim instructor and a competitive swimmer. I've always thought about coaching a swim team, but so far the opportunity and the time to create such an opportunity has not presented itself.
When I go to a public pool to swim my workout, if the lanes are full of age-groupers and lap swimmers and masters folks, I will sit on the side and observe. I can be watching a 45 year old man doing butterfly and thinking "You know, his kick timing is off...I wonder if I should tell him...", or I could be watching a 10 year old girl doing freestyle and thinking "That coach should work with her on getting her elbows higher..." However in a situation like that, I usually get odd looks from parents when they realize I'm there to swim, but I'm not swimming yet. Then they see me watching people swim, and maybe they think I'm trying to pick up tips. If they see me watching the kids swim, I can only imagine what they think of me.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I hope these reports don't cast a black shadow on all males who would like to get into swim coaching at some point. As I said before, I love swimming, I love to watch swimming, I love to help people learn how to swim and swim better.
The whole situation falls back onto the personal responsibility and awareness of the coach. No one-on-one meetings with swimmers. If you have something to say that cannot be said on the deck during practice, you better have a second coach or a parent involved.
Also, any parent that agrees to let their child go on a week long stay in another state with their coach, alone, for a swim meet...well, they're either too trusting, or they're oblivious. If my daughter were swimming and her coach wanted to take her to another state for a meet, even for a day-trip, you bet your sweet hiney that I'd be taking a day off and going along - regardless of how long the trip was or how much I trusted that coach. I'd want to be there for my own personal reassurance, and also to give my child the support that a parent should be there to provide.
