<p>I have just come across this report (the comments are the most telling). The possibility/probability of the coach being gay is irrelevant to me - everyone is entitled to love whomever they want (as far as I am concerned). The punishment however, had me gasping in shock. </p>
<p>How can a potential athlete ever find out if similar things are going on in their dream school - as it seems to me that those closest to what happened were not talking? If so, surely, no athlete hosting an OV in that kind of school would dare be honest... How do you get to find out the things that are really important in a program???</p>
<p>There are definitely some damaged individuals out there coaching. How do you find them out before you commit? You can look at their behavior during games or meets to see if they berate players in public, you can also see what kind of attrition rate they have from Freshmen to Seniors. Some of the abuse is more psychological - I know a girl that runs XC at a D1 program and coach makes them weigh-in weekly and post their weights on a board for all to see to shame them into keeping their weight down. </p>
<p>I agree with Varska 100%. Invest the time (and sometimes money) to visit the school for games and practices. You can learn a lot about coaches and the coaching staff dyanmic simply by watching games and practices. </p>
<p>My son was recruited by a number of schools across D1 and D3. Some coaches are “yellers” during a game or practice, and other coaches managed to keep their cool. We knew my son didn’t respond well to “yellers”. He is much more of a logic and reason guy. There was one particular Ivy coach that was recruiting my son hard, but he was a “yeller”. We saw him embarass one of his players during a game. My son crossed them off the list immediately. He refused to consider them at all. This particular coach had a sterling reputation and big time connections. It didn’t matter, my son wanted no part of him.</p>
<p>The ‘forum’ section of the webpage for the sport my daughter plays had a lot of information about coaches. Some of it is posted because of a known, widespread problem, some because the coach is changing schools, some just gossip because the parent doesn’t think the coach is fair. There is one coach at a big D-1 and I’m very glad we didn’t run into her sort, and the posts were supported by newspaper articles and player interviews, but there are other players who think she’s great. My daughter is playing for a coach we’ve met but who didn’t coach at this school before. I’ve read comments by her prior players from another school and of course I’ve met her and like her personality, so I think she’ll be great, but we are taking a chance.</p>
<p>Talk to current athletes, see where the coach has been, how often he’s changed schools, how many players return every year.</p>
<p>Thanks FWS and 2IAD; I have been trying to temper my son’s expectations since I came across that information, as I am now worried about supporting him in his desire to attend university in the US. Because we live in the UK, we will not be able to attend matches etc. and watch - it is just not practicable. There is one school that has never been on our list, because the head coach has such a public reputation for being a bully, and my son would not respond positively to that kind of coaching at all; but we have heard very little by way of the characters of coaches at other schools (apart from 2 where Brits have been and the parents say they are v happy and the coaches are great etc. Etc.). I am so worried that the most important things could easily be overlooked especially where a ‘courtship’ ritual is in play…</p>
<p>For college swimming in the US the incident at Arizona is rare. Most college swimming coaches treat their swimmers well as this is one of the keys to high performance in the pool. The biggest complaints that I have heard among college swimmers is the selection process for travel teams and having to compete in their weaker events due to team needs.</p>
<p>There are some college coaches who do not treat their swimmers well but these coaches are generally well known by the club coaches. Club coaches talk to their college swimmers and many college swimmers practice with their club teams when they are home during breaks. Club coaches also talk to other club coaches about college programs as well. As a result most high school swimmers are aware of problem programs before they go on OVs. </p>
<p>Researchmum since you are from Britain I would recommend the following:</p>
<p>1.) Call the club coach who coached a swimmer who is currently swimming for a college your son is interested in. Chances are they can tell you a great deal about the college coach and the program.</p>
<p>2.) Attend USA Swimming Summer Junior Nationals. Many college coaches attend this meet and it is possible for you and your son to talk to them. The weather and the venue was great last year and the meet was very fast.</p>
<p>SwimKidsDad, thank you for your kind suggestions. Great stuff! 1) we can definitely do, but not 2), as your Summer Nats (30 July - 3 Aug) clashes with ours (5 - 10 Aug; considering jet lag, and tapers etc.), but thank you as you have given me some info to work with.</p>
<p>SwimKidsDad, I think it depends on what you consider treating swimmers well. There are old school coaches out there who are verbally abusive and many of them are very successful. It is important to know how your swimmer responds to different coaching styles and try to find a program that meets his/her needs. Observing coaches at meets is a good way to see how the coach behaves at a swim meet, which is often very different than how they behave on the practice pool deck. Contacting club coaches is a good idea, but I’m not sure how many will give you the honest answers you need. I think you need to get this info from current/former swimmers. And don’t expect to get it on an OV where athletes have been coached on what to say/not say to recruits.</p>
<p>“SwimKidsDad, I think it depends on what you consider treating swimmers well.”</p>
<p>Simply put it is a coach training a swimmer properly to allow them to qualify for the NCAA D1 national championship. Part of this is built on a relationship of trust between a swimmer and a coach because many swimmers are broken down and are not fast mid season, and the swimmer must trust that the training program will allow them to be fast when they are rested at championship meets. Senseless verbal abuse breaks down this trust. A good coach is compelled to motivate a swimmer when they are not putting 100% effort into practice. Successful swimmers know the difference.</p>
<p>“There are old school coaches out there who are verbally abusive and many of them are very successful.”</p>
<p>At NCAA D1 Nationals? Name one. </p>
<p>Using multiple sources to evaluate a college coach is important. I agree that contacting former swimmers is a good idea but may be difficult to do. Contacting club coaches is easy because most have their cell phone numbers listed on the team website.</p>