Teamz Beware!

[THEBIGGUY]

Do you really know who's handling your team money? If you don't? find out ! I was just made aware of a coach that was in charge of the team money on a team we use to play on is now in charge of team money on another team. This class act took the team for at least 4 to 5 thousand dollars.When ask for an expense sheet he would always claim I dont have it here that he would bring it next time.I later found out he was using the money for his own personal expenses like his daughters team fee's and his friend's DD team fee's while he would fine parents for late payments.He used team money for his travel costs,buy new bats for his DD the list goes on and on .I would not have a problem if this was clearly pointed out when I joined but after asking other parents they were not aware of it .Shortly after the parents were made aware of this the team broke up but this guy is now an asst. coach on another team and in charge of the money.Beware find out who's handling the money and where is it really going!

[Lefty's Dad]

Hmm...that sounds familiar, been there. I think it's a good idea for teams to be open with expenses just so that there is no confusion whatsoever. If the books are open, there are no questions about where the money is being spent. I know some organizations require their select teams to provide their expense books to them after every season or every year. I think the parents have every right to see what their money is being spent on as well. I for one would never have thought a certain coach would do anything wrong but it has happened to a team DD played on, he refused to show the books and we left, come to find out when Nationals rolled around, the team account had no money in it. Now, he did the right thing and coughed up the dough so the team didn't suffer but it was an ugly situation.

[OCTravelCoach]

Had that exact thing happen two years ago on 16U team. Manager/Coach embezzled $5,000 with purchases for DD and family and himself. Filed formal complaint with ASA, but nothing was ever done.

I took over the team (only 2 players remained) and had to build it back up. I provide my parents with a pre-season budget of where/how player dues are spent. I then provide the parents with a post-season accounting of all funds.

If your manager won't do that for you, that's a major red flag that's something is wrong.

It's an awful experience to go through. Last time I saw the offender, he was an assistant coach on another team.

[Tucson]

The league director in Springfield IL, took the baseball league for $40,000. I know of other similar cases. This guy went to prison.

[Bigplay33]

The team should always be updated on the books, monthy in my opinion that way if anybody has a questions in can be addressed when its fresh in everyone's mind. In Travel were not talking chump change here it could be in the thousands $$$ and this should be handled carefully and openly, possiably by two people in charge( signatures from both in order to make a withdraw) checking what goes out and what comes in. Checks and balances that way one person can't come and go using the money at thier own discretion. Lots of temptation, sadly not the first time I have heard this story.

[CharlieHough]

Both of my daughters travel teams are managed in Quickbooks.

It takes all of the pressure off the Treasurer and provides info to the entire team of where all of the money goes. Keeps everyone accountable.

This week the team was emailed the team budget, Profit/loss statement, and projected income statement.

In todays world of technology....I don't think this is too much to ask.

[almosthuman]

Individuals have been stealing from children across the spectrum of youth sports for years. Now a corporation is doing it.

http://www.techflash.com/venture/Youth_ ... 72399.html