The Hawaii Federation of USA Wrestling sent a letter dated May 11 alerting club directors that a coach who was deemed ineligible by U.S. Center for SafeSport for sexual misconduct has been training member athletes.
The letter was sent to help ensure the safety of the HFUSAW members, but also to notify them that members could lose their card if it is learned that they have been trained by ineligible coaches, according to Rick Williams, the HFUSAW state chairman and SafeSport coordinator.
According to the SafeSport centralized disciplinary database, there are three individuals (one for sexual misconduct and two for misconduct) currently under sanction and ineligible in Hawaii who are listed in the letter.
The letter reads: “Clubs (or their coaches) determined to have aided and abetted an ineligible coach can lose their club sanction and/or coaches’ memberships. Additionally, USA Wrestling athletes that are being trained or coached by an ineligible coach are at risk to: be admonished/warned, asked to take additional SafeSport training, serve a probationary period, or be suspended.”
Williams said the coach on the ineligible list who is training USA Wrestling members is not doing so at USAW-sanctioned practices or events.
Part of the letter is below. Call your club, the HFUSAW or go to USCenterForSafeSport.org to see which coaches are banned or suspended and why.
