This letter comes only because so many other efforts have failed. But enough is enough; we have tried -- repeatedly -- to get NYSAHA, USA Hockey, and local Safe Sport representatives (and others) to give the complaint that I submitted via emails to USA Hockey, Safe Sport and NYSAHA on behalf of my son their proper due process. Each time you have failed; and we have been met with delay and obfuscation. I have now been told on three separate occasions that a hearing to address those concerns has been postponed. I have not been provided a reason why.
This is beyond concerning, particularly in light of the lengthy list of indisputable facts submitted to Safe Sport, USA Hockey and the Central section. By way of example only, and as detailed further below, it is an indisputable fact that my son's coaches were withholding a potentially lifesaving inhaler from my son, causing him significant (and visually evident) distress. It is a fact that coaches watched, in full view, other players (including their sons) physically harm my son during times when no play was occurring on the ice around him. To be clear: causing physical injury outside the confines of the play of the sport can support criminal charges. There is video proof of all of this.
As you know, I submitted materials to open a file through Central Section, SafeSport, USA Hockey and Snowbelt. Please provide to me the case number, case status, and contact information of the person or persons conducting the investigation. We also demand the following: that you provide to those persons this letter and all of the accompanying material; that you inform those persons that my son wishes to provide testimony; and that no final determination should be made concerning these coaches prior to his testimony.
While frustrating, the numerous unanswered emails and complaints has given us the chance to: consult legal counsel concerning this matter; further review the Safe Sport code of conduct; and identify other avenues of legal recourse should this matter continue to be ignored and mishandled. Let me be blunt: the inexplicable delay in this investigation has surely caused children other than my son continue to suffer at the hands of coaches who are violating multiple SafeSport codes of conduct each time those children take the ice. This suffering could perhaps result, as it has for my son, in the need for medical and mental health attention, and the concomitant expenses associated therewith.
Put simply the jig is up. While most of what follows has already been provided via the Central Section and USA Hockey, the violations of the Safe Sport code of conduct include the following facts:
• withholding medically necessary inhaler during play; (video
provided)
• physical abuse by other teammates in full view of the coaches with
no repercussions; (video provided)
• ignorance of, and failure to account for, other medical conditions; (video provided
-Persistence, continuous, and overt verbal and mental abuse; (video,
emails, and testimony provided)
• Persistent, continuous, and overt failures to follow league rules
concerning the treatment of players; (video, emails and testimony provided)
• Persistent, continuous bullying, discrimination and harassment by
other teammates; (video, emails and testimony provided)
• Failure to report abuse; (testimony provided)
• Persistent and continuous retaliation by coaches, organization,
teammates and fellow parents; (emails and testimony provided)
• Failure to provide supervision in locker rooms at all times; (testimony
provided)
• Continuous failure to report by the organization and central section;
Also provided via the Central Section and USA Hockey, the violations of the USA Hockey code of conduct include the following facts:
Administer’s Code of Conduct
• Failure to follow the rules and regulations of USA Hockey and your
association to ensure that the association’s philosophy and
objectives are enhanced; (emails and testimony provided)
• Failure that administrators are expected to hold players, coaches,
officials and parents accountable for their actions in an effort to
promote a safe and positive environment for all participants; (emails
and testimony provided)
• Failure to communicate with parents by being available to answer
questions and address problems throughout the season; (emails, text
messages provided)
• Failure to work to provide programs that encompass fairness to the
participants and promote fair play and sportsmanship; (emails,
information on volunteering time and education provided)
Coaches Code of Conduct
• Failure to care more about the child than winning the game.
Remember, players are involved in hockey for fun and enjoyment;
(video, email and testimony provided)
• Failure to be a positive role model to your players. Display emotional
maturity and be alert to the physical safety of players; (video, email
and testimony provided)
•. Failure to be consistent and honest; be fair and just; do not criticize
players publicly; learn to be a more effective communicator and
coach; don’t yell at players; (video, email and testimony provided)
•. Failure to adjust to personal needs and problems of players; be a
good listener; never verbally or physically abuse a player give all
players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence and
develop self-esteem; teach players the basics; (Video, email, and
testimony provided)
•. Failure to encourage all your players to be team players; (Video,
email and testimony provided)
•. Failure to maintain an open line of communication with your players’
parents. Explain the goals and objectives of your association; (Email
and testimony provided)
• Failure to be concerned with the overall development of your
players; (Emails and testimony provided)
• Failure that coaches are expected to teach proper skills and hold
their players accountable for illegal and dangerous actions,
regardless as to whether they are properly penalized, or not.
Parent’s code of conduct
• Failure to encourage your child to play by the rules; (testimony
provided)
• Failure to enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or
physically abuse your child after a game or practice – it is
destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in
youth sports;(Testimony provided)
• Failure to provide fair and equal opportunity for all to participate in
our sport; (video, picture, email and testimony provided)
Player’s code of conduct
• Failure to be a team player – get along with your teammate; (video,
email and testimony provided)
• Failure to Learn the rules and play by them. Always be a good sport;
(Video, email and testimony provided)
• Respect your coach, your teammates, your parents, opponents and
officials
Notably, none of the foregoing can be disputed. There is written, video, and/or testimonial support for all of it. That these men are still coaching hockey is not only wrong, but is blind to the recent advances made across youth sports at stemming the exact type of mental and verbal abuse outlined above. It is shameful, in this regard, that this matter has done nothing but languish in the hands of people who are either too unconcerned, or too unmotivated, to take proper actions.