What Youth Sports Administrators Have in Common with Paterno, Spanier, Curley & McQuery

Do you realize how much YOU have in common with Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier, Tim Curley and Mike McQuery?  No, these men did not commit the physical crimes against children, as did Jerry Sandusky.  However, they are responsible and liable for their own actions when there is even a hint that someone is abusing a child.  This blog isn’t specifically about the Penn State case and who was (or wasn’t) fired, that will all pan out in court, but it is a REALITY check for all involved with youth that no one is invincible.

While the Penn State case is making national headlines because of its legendary coach and it’s football program, understand that this happens FREQUENTLY in youth sports.  Most of our readers are involved in teams/leagues/youth programs in one-way or the other. Are you a coach, athletic director, team mom or a parent on the side-lines?  Whatever your position, today is the day to step back and realize where exactly you fit into the lives of the kids participating in your youth sports organization.   You are there to protect them at all cost.

Some time ago, we did a blog on Protect Your Kids From Predators In Youth Sports.  This blog is a must read for anyone that has or is involved with children. It includes an article from Sports Illustrated from actual predators in youth programs saying “This is how we got away with it …this is how you protect your kids.” (Example from the article, Did you know, Studies have found that the average preferential molester victimizes about 120 children before he is caught? DISTURBING). It also contains useful Risk Management guidelines that can be implemented TODAY!

For more articles on preventing sexual abuse and molestation, visit our blog.

Shart this with others so that we all can make a difference.

University of Georgia Settles Athlete Disability Insurance Dispute

Former cornerback, Decory Bryant’s $400,00 settlement with University of Georgia athletic association finally comes after his career ended in 2003 with a neck injury.  An Athens-Clarke judge dismissed the lawsuit that claimed the association failed to secure Bryant a $500,00 athlete disability insurance policy that would have paid him in the event he suffered a career-ending injury. 

Ed Tolley, the athletic association attorney, noted that the settlement was a sign that the “athletic association had committed to helping Bryant all along”. 

However, Bryant claimed that an official of the school failed to complete the paperwork for the $500,00 policy. 

Source:

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2010/02/26/107703.htm

Could Football Players Heat-Related Death Have Been Prevented

While the incident that led to the death of 15-year-old, Max Gilpin in August 2008 is very tragic, it could have likely been prevented. This particular case has had many experts in the sports arena scratching their heads.  The experts at “From The Gym To The Jury” commented on this case in their latest edition stating “In 19 years of reporting court cases involving injury or death at early season practices, this may be the first to result in criminal charges.” The coach, David Stinson, has pleaded “not guilty” in the player’s death.

The most important thing to focus on here is PREVENTION. If you are remotely involved with a youth sports league, each of the coaches, assistant coaches, etc. need to be made aware of the information that we provide on Heat Illness: Avoidance and Prevention. By following these guidelines, you are helping to protect your kids from heat illness and your coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers and league officials from being the target in a big dollar lawsuit.

Frivolous Lawsuits in Sports….Could It Happen to You?

Frivolous lawsuits are everywhere and sports is by no means immune; it would appear that sports organizations are major “defendants” in the law world.  We have people call and want information on insurance because they are required to have it, not because they want it. As they say “We’ve never had a claim.”, “It wouldn’t happen to us, everyone likes our league.” or “We make everyone provide their own insurance so we are not responsible.” Wow! Simply WOW!  In the world today, it is not longer a question of IF you will get sued, it is WHEN you will get sued.  It is often not what you actually did or what you failed to do;  it is what someone perceives that you did or failed to do that will get you into the court room defending yourself or your organization.   As far as sports go, if you are involved at all, whether you are the coach, administrator, player, or volunteer, there is no other Option than to make sure that your organization has coverage to pay in case you need the defense.

Below are just a few examples of some lawsuits that will make you make you say HMMMMMM.

Rodney Carroll, coach of the 16 & under Brunswick (OH) Cobras baseball team, was sued for $2,000 by the father of his catcher after a 0-15 season in 1999. The grounds? Crummy Coaching View Source

Jason Abbitt sued the Vallejo (CA) Babe Ruth Baseball League for 80 percent of his signup fee in 2002 because he only played in 20 percent of the games.  He sought $65 — which came out to $65 for every hit he had that season. View Source

As featured in the American Specialty Companies Book – Liable to Laugh 2004

Two parents of players on opposing teams became involved in a fistfight during a youth soccer game. The loser of the fight (who also was the aggressor) filed suit against his opponet and the soccer league because of his moderately sever injuries.  He alleged that the soccer league was negligent because it failed to control his behavior when they realized, or should have realized, that he was “out of control.” The soccer league, by the was, was for 5 and 6 year old girls.

A minor claimant was playing in the outfield in a youth baseball league when he missed a fly ball that struck him in the face, causing facial fractures.  The parents sued the league and the coach, claiming that they knew or should have known that the claimant had sight problems and, therefore, should not have been allowed to play in the outfield.

What about crazy claims that never make it to the court room, such as…..

A lady wanted to file a claim stating that she was driving by a youth baseball game when a baseball came over the fence, through her back window, and hit her bird cage, therefore releasing her prized pet.

SEC Referee Will Not Face Discipline for Gamecock Tackle

According to the South Carolina based newspaper The State, Wilbur Hackett, Jr, will not face any disciplinary action for his take down of the Gamecocks Quarterback, Garcia, in last Saturday’s game.

… the SEC office believes Hackett was protecting himself and plans to take no disciplinary action on the veteran official. Rogers Redding, the conference’s coordinator of football officials, reviewed the tape of the play and thought it was inadvertent contact.

“Garcia changes his direction just a tad, which ties up the umpire just a tad and makes it look a lot worse than it really was,” SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said.

The incident didn’t seem to have any bearing on the outcome of the game as the Gamecocks went on to score shortly after.  Accident or no accident….. We think you still have it, Hackett!

Former All Star Linebacker Turned Referee Tackles Quarterback

Former All Star Linebacker Turned Referee Tackles South Carolina Gamecocks Quarterback Steven Garcia — During the game!  Only in Gamecock country could we see this happen!  Knowing that we just wrote a blog on Sports Officials Under Assault makes this even more funny.  Did this interference effect the outcome of the game? We will never know.  Did referee, Wilbur Hackett, Jr, tackle Garcia on purpose. From watching the video it looked like pure instinct. What would you expect from a guy that according to his high school website, was a three year starter at linebacker at the University of Kentucky and made more than a few All-Star teams in the 60′s. What’s even more crazy is that 40 years later, he’s tackling with no pads!