jpheather brings up a good point, though. 304.3.4 (iii) is for those convicted of a sex crime so it's pretty clear, but 304.3.5 seems to be inappropriate sexual behavior by a coach that hasn't been prosecuted. What is the procedure for banning a coach under this rule? Could one (potentially false) complaint ban a coach or does it need to well corroborated evidence? I hope it's the later.
We're having a light debate on my Facebook page this morning.
Jimby jumped in as well so it was colorful.
I wrote:
I'm not an "old experienced" coach by any means, but I do know the difference between:
Honest support & encouragement
vs.
Sexually suggestive & flirtatious compliments
It might also be referred to as respect for the profession of coaching - or acting professionally as a coach.
I still have a GREAT time with my athletes and swimmers.
~~~
But on the flip side, a coach has a reputation to protect as well.
All kinds of things can spur on false accusations. Jealousy and envy are probably the worst.
And then I believe suggestive comments were referred to as - "human nature".
Sorry, but I don't buy that as ok behavior from a coach - or a swimmer even if its masters.
Former Member
FWIW i'd bet the majorty of those on this list are included on sexual based offenses rather than a felony DWI or similar, less severe, felony conviction.
The breakdown, I believe was 39 for sexual offenses. The other 7 or so for various offenses
Former Member
Just a word of caution.
My brother-in-law is a skating coach. He coached a young skater who went on to the Olympics.
We were talking about the swimming coaches situation, and he commented that as a coach he has to be extremely careful with his relationship with skaters and their parents. Not because of any sexual issues, but because of the THREAT of them using supposed sexual issues to get back at him if they don't like something he has said or done that is not related to sexual issues.
He's seen it happen to innocent coaches before. It's called blackmail.
I'd hate to see this turn into a witch hunt, and I would hope that those who are complaining about a coach are willing to take it to court so that both sides get their say, unless, of course, the coach admits fault. In our country you are innocent until proven guilty.
The coach that I know on this list plead quilty after nearly 1 1/2 of saying he was innocent. When faced with going to trial or agree to a plea deal with a shorter sentence, he took the plea.
Former Member
The breakdown, I believe was 39 for sexual offenses. The other 7 or so for various offenses
I think those are the correct numbers. I also think there are alot of coaches/people out there who have deferred adjudication for a felony on their record that "qualify" for the banned list.
For what it is worth: .5 Any sexual conduct, advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards an athlete by (i) a coach member or other non-athlete member, or (ii) any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such adult is a member or not).
I think this means that you perverts who bought the Beard Playboy for self-gratificaiton should be on the banned list. Good riddance.
ARTICLE 304
CODE OF CONDUCT
304.1 The mission of USA Swimming is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of swimming. USA Swimming grants the privilege of membership to individuals and organizations committed to that mission. The privilege of membership may, therefore, be withdrawn or denied by USA Swimming at any time where USA Swimming determines that a member or prospective member's conduct is inconsistent with the mission of the organization or the best interest of the sport and those who participate in it. In order to assist all members to better serve the interests of those who participate in swimming, USA Swimming has adopted this Code of Conduct.
304.2 Any member or prospective member of USA Swimming may be denied membership, censured, placed on probation, suspended for a definite or indefinite period of time with or without terms of probation, fined or expelled from USA Swimming if such member violates the provisions of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct, set forth in 304.3, or aids, abets or encourages another person to violate any of the provisions of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct.
304.3 The following shall be considered violations of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct:
.1 Violation of the right to compete provisions set forth in 301.1 through (B] 301.4.
.2 Violation of the anti-doping provisions set forth in 303.3 or 303.4.
.3 Discrimination in violation of Part Five of the USA Swimming Corporate Bylaws or any other section of the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations, or in violation of Section 201(b)(6) of the Amateur Sports Act which requires that USA Swimming must provide: "an equal opportunity to amateur athletes; coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials to participate in amateur athletic competition, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, or national origin".
.4 Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past or present, or the existence of any pending charges, for
(i) any felony,
(ii) any offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent to distribute illegal drugs or substances, or
(iii) any crime involving sexual misconduct.
.5 Any sexual conduct, advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards an athlete by (i) a coach member or other non-athlete member, or (ii) any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such adult is a member or not). Any nonconsensual physical sexual conduct,
or pattern of unwelcome advances or other sexual harassment in connection with or incidental to a USA Swimming-related activity by any person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such person is a member or not) directed toward any member or other person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming.
.6 The sale or distribution of illegal drugs or the illegal sale or distribution of any substance listed on FINA's recognized list of banned substances.
.7 The use of illegal drugs in the presence of an athlete, by a coach, official, trainer of, or a person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over, that athlete.
.8 The providing of alcohol to an athlete by a coach, official, trainer, manager or any other person where the athlete is under the legal age allowed to consume or purchase alcohol in the state where the alcohol is provided.
.9 The abuse of alcohol in the presence of an athlete under the age of 18, by a coach, official, trainer of, or a person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete.
.10 Physical abuse of an athlete by any person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete.
.11 Any act of fraud, deception or dishonesty in connection with any USA Swimming-related activity.
.12 Any non-consensual physical contact, obscene language or gesture, or other threatening language or conduct directed towards any meet official and which is related to any decision made by such official in connection with a USA Swimming-sanctioned competition.
.13 Action, other than through general advertising, by a coach, owner, officer, volunteer, representative, or employee of a swim club, or a USA Swimming or LSC employee, either through direct contact with an athlete or the encouragement of others, to recruit or otherwise encourage an athlete who is already a member of a USA Swimming member swim club to leave that club, unless the acting party receives prior written approval to recruit or encourage the athlete to change affiliation from the designated club representative of the athlete's existing USA Swimming-member swim club or contact is initiated by the athlete, the athlete's parent or authorized representative. General advertising includes any information that is:
A Distributed to an identifiable general population where there is a reasonable expectation that the majority of that population are not current members of USA Swimming, or
B Placed in or on any item that is sold.
In the event of a violation of this section, a sanction may be imposed against any coach, owner, officer, volunteer, representative or employee of a swim club, or against any such club, or any combination thereof, as appropriate.
.14 Violation of any team misconduct rule as established by the USOC, USA Swimming, any Zone or LSC team authority.
.15 Any other material and intentional act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.
from: www.usaswimming.org/.../2010 RuleBook.pdf
Right now there is NOTHING keeping these individuals from taking their "coaching skills" to masters swimming.
Swimmers at any level and in any branch of the sport need to REPORT questionable behavior.
Sadly, there are probably many others still cleverly out there on pool decks.
The reality in masters swimming for our athletes exposed to coaches (or team mates) who are sexually abusive is that they just simply decide to disappear.
Masters swimmers are adults and can make the decision to leave without approval from parents or a club.
And they do disappear. I have seen it happen - too many times.
To REPORT abuse takes courage and willingness to face the fire.
It is not pretty or easy. And it is time consuming and often expensive.
Another sad consequence is that often these pleas for help are ignored or worse, thought to be unbelievable.
Former Member
Is it scary that I know more than one of these guys?!:censor:
