The Next Level, Coach Accused of Sex with Minor - Update

[just play]

Just watched ESPN's show, E:60. Had just this scenario as one of their featured topics. A gymnastics coach in Nor Cal was accused of molestation when several girls finally admitted it happened after years.

ESPN found the guy in another state back coaching girls once again. I do not believe he had been prosecuted as of yet... But the owner of the gym was interviewed and believed he was innocent until proven guilty and that all the parents were advised. Sure enough, ESPN interviewed a mother dropping her kids off and she had no idea.

It was funny because the reporters were at a table discussing this scenario and the debate was pretty much the same as on this board. A set of people said from a parent's viewpoint, convicted or not, they would not place their kids in a situation where the accused was, while a couple took the stand of he was only accused and has not been convicted.

[noclu13]

The last time I checked you are innocent until proven guilty ...... in a court of law. I don't have to use that as my method of making decisions with regard to my own life and children. You are free to do what ever you want, as am I. If I choose to not allow my daughter to be around someone who is ACCUSED of a crime like this then that is my right. I don't have to be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt. And if I choose to share that information with other people and let them make their own decision, then I have that right also. You want to wait until he is either proven innocent or guilty to make your decision, that is your right. But I don't have to agree with you and I don't have to shut up.

[iceberg]

Right to due process is for all our citizens but while being accused he shouldn't be allowed to be around the girls until this matter is resolved. Rather than depend on the board to take responsible action, I'd look to the parents to be the deturrant in protecting the girls from this situation.

[txfpcoach]

Seeing how every other Hey bucket member even the newbies are jumping in I guess it's my turn.

I'll keep it simple. As a coach or manager it is your responsibility to ensure that you are never in a position to be accused of anything. From this to the financial side of the team to your relationships with the players. In order to be put in this postion he must have opened the window of doubt. If his relationships with the players were strictly limited to the field and group settings there would be no questions of his integrity. The minute he crossed the line and put himself in a postion to be questioned he became "guilty until proven innocent". When children are involved it is the duty of the parents to protect them at all cost including that of a persons guilt or innocence.