Reference Check on Coaches

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

RE: Reference Check on Coaches

Date: Wed Jun 18 9:40 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ACEDAD wrote:

The new USASF Gym Certification program requires all staff to have criminal background checks.

ACEDAD I think that is a wonderful start,but unfortuately it will not weed out all of the criminal element here's why. There are coaches that befriend not only their victom's but their victom's parent's and if those parent's still want to be their childs friend instead of being the parent then those coaches will never have a background to check.

But the background checks are still a good start.
The problem with the USASF gym certification is that only about 37% are actally certified

I bet less than that.... the USASF did not have answers for me when I called to ask about it...they refered me to a gym owner back east to answer my questions..... THEY still have NO answers as to when we can re-cert for the the stunts and basket tosses..... Their so called reps NEVER return phone calls or emails.....

ACEDAD · GURU

Anonymous wrote:

I bet less than that.... the USASF did not have answers for me when I called to ask about it...they refered me to a gym owner back east to answer my questions..... THEY still have NO answers as to when we can re-cert for the the stunts and basket tosses..... Their so called reps NEVER return phone calls or emails.....

I'll return a call or email. Let me know what questions you have and I'll see what I can find out.

The only thing I don't like about this thread is the accusatory nature rather than a questioning nature.

Believe it or not, lots of people really do want to see things get better. But it doesn't really help when the posts go like this:

Post 1: I can't believe there are no criminal background checks!
Post 2: The USASF now requires background checks for gym certification.
Post 3: Well, those just started...only a small percentage are certified...it won't catch everyone, etc.

Of course it won't catch everyone. And nothing requires a gym to get certified. But if Gym A has the certification and Gym B doesn't, then the parents can get involved and go to the gym with the certification. I promise that money walking out the door will make a difference. That's not a cynical view; that's the American way!

The new Parents Action Committee is working hard to get some of these issues addressed. But it can't be an "us v. them" process. We have to all work together to make things happen. If you have specific suggestions, questions or complaints, you can email me at bill.presson@gmail.com. Or you can go to www.iasfworlds.org/messageboards and post in the Parents section.

I promise that you'll get an answer.

And if you think everyone is wanting to cover up issues, feel free to read all the complaints about the Video on Demand on the IASF board. There were issues, valid complaints and nobody covered up anything. All we did was try to address the issues as soon as possible.

Bill Presson

JPhoto · Member

I like how there is a passion behind keeping our children safe when participating at a facility. I personally think a background check is not a bad idea. The reality is, is that when getting a job working with children (for example a teacher), you have to get a background check. I have had one for being a teacher and I think it's completely appropriate. As adults, we can do our best to protect our children and this is a step towards that. - J

Date: Wed Jun 18 6:47 PM, 2008

I confronted the gym owner where my daughter cheers with my concerns, I asked her what qualifications and certification our coaches have and the look on her face was priceless, like how dare I ask. The owner looked pissed for me even asking and now I think it will be taken out on my daughter this year furious

Date: Wed Jun 18 7:26 PM, 2008

Really, I don't believe it. Gym owners aren't monsters! I would welcome the question.

Date: Wed Jun 18 7:30 PM, 2008

You shouldn't even have to ask, it should be advertised and posted somewhere.

oldcheermom · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

Really, I don't believe it. Gym owners aren't monsters! I would welcome the question.

Maybe you would welcome the question, but sometimes we have no clue what pushes other people's buttons. Sounds like this owner was not happy when confronted with the questions.

Date: Wed Jun 18 10:04 PM, 2008

Oh, I think I know what gym owner you are refering to. haha. She looks pissed if you ask her anything. Actually her and all of her coaches always look pissed! Whats up with that? I wonder why they even bother to coach, I swear they don't like kids or anyone but themselves for that matter. It's so sad.

Date: Wed Jun 18 10:10 PM, 2008

Background checks would be nice but let's get real. The gym industry is very small and people know everything. A coach doesn't need to commit a felony to be talked about and have their reputation ruined. Sometimes they just do STUPID things, get caught, and they are ruined in the business. If a gym owner decides to hire them anyway, then apparently they don't care about the families and it's a risk they are willing to take.

Date: Wed Jun 18 11:21 PM, 2008

I think they do check out who their coaches are, and if they have any background problems.

Date: Wed Jun 18 11:24 PM, 2008

Usually we hire some of our own(cheerleaders that have been with us for sometime), but we do hire outside the gym and we do a background check.

Date: Thu Jun 19 12:18 AM, 2008

I think this is a great topic, especially with all the sickos we have in this world. Does anyone know what happened to that tumlbing coach out of Livermore/Pleasanton that was arrested for sexually assaulting a young boy last year?

To the person who asked their gym owner who was pissed as you said, if it were me I would have already taken my child out. ALL gyms should welcome those types of questions from parents, in the end not only are they looking out for the safety of their child but other children on the teams.

As another poster said, it should somewhere be listed in the gym what certifications the gym or it's employees have. JMO

Date: Thu Jun 19 8:21 AM, 2008

then why would you stay there. looks like your owner may be hiding something

Date: Thu Jun 19 11:22 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

then why would you stay there. looks like your owner may be hiding something

already looking for another gym biggrin

Date: Thu Jun 19 1:46 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

then why would you stay there. looks like your owner may be hiding something

already looking for another gym

good for you. i would too smile

Date: Fri Jun 20 11:34 AM, 2008

Every single coach should be certified! Parents do not know that if your child gets injuried during cheerleading and it has a permament effect on your child, you have until your child turns 20 to file a lawsuit against any coaches that were involved in teaching your child cheerleading technique. It is the responsibility for a coach to teach correct techinque and promote safety. No I'm not kidding.... pull out an AACCA book.

Date: Fri Jun 20 2:52 PM, 2008

you mean there are actually coaches that care more about safety then winning that first place trophy. I hear a lot about the unsafe practices inorder to get that number 1 stunt!! ashame... hmm

Date: Fri Jun 20 4:31 PM, 2008

Our gym has a full bio of each coach on the website, and it's also posted under their photos in our gym which shows all of their education, cheer experience, their personal awards, teams they've coached and awards those teams have received, cheer organizations they've staffed for, and their certifications. I think every parent should have a right to know that. Plus then there are no secrets and the parents don't have to ask.

Date: Fri Jun 20 5:09 PM, 2008

I HATE it when coaches LIE and everyone believes them...