Jack Maddan, the head coach of the Cypress Fairbanks Swim Club (FLEET) in suburban Houston, Texas has been added to USA Swimming’s public list of Individuals Permanently Suspended or Ineligible. His official date of banishment is August 26th, 2015.
Maddan was banned under three sections of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct: two sections from older versions of the code, and one from the most current version of the code.
From the version of the code between 1999 and 2001, Maddan was banned for:
- 304.3.5 Any sexual contact or advance directed towards an athlete by a coach, official, trainer, or other person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete.
From the version of the code between 1999 and 2008, Maddan was banned for:
- 304.3.15 Any other act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.
From the version of the code from 2014 to the present, Maddan was banned for:
- A. Any inappropriate sexual conduct or advance, or other inappropriate oral, written, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature at any time, past or present, directed towards an athlete or any person under the age of eighteen (18) by (i) a coach member or other non-athlete member, or (ii) any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the activities of USA Swimming (whether such adult is a member or not).
Note that the 2014 code specifies “past or present,” meaning that the dates on the code do not necessarily imply a newer incident.
During the time period of the first two sections by which he was considered in violation, Maddan was the head coach of the Parkway Swim Club in Missouri, the head coach of Hilton Head Aquatics, and a senior assistant coach with Y-Spartaquatics. He was four times selected as a zones coach in South Carolina (1999, 2001, 2005, and 2006), and was named Coach of the Year twice.
Maddan is also the former head age group coach at SwimMAC, where he was an assistant of Pat Hogan, who is currently the Managing Director of Club Development for USA Swimming, according to Maddan’s bio, which still lists him as the head coach at FLEET.
Maddan was hired as the head coach of FLEET at the beginning of the 2012-2013 season.
To transition from a life long swim coach into another career will be extremely stressful and difficult. To help with the financial burden associated with this transition I have setup a gofundme page to assist Jack. This is simply something to help a coach and friend work through his career transition while supporting his family.
Link to the page is: https://www.gofundme.com/fdbxtvxm
I wish the posters here would see this from the victim/accuser point of view. And my question to Jack’s defenders is this: In a he said/she said type situation, what percentage of the time does the accuser have to be telling the truth for the decision to be made in the accuser’s favor??? The sad thing is that some of you don’t even care if the incident occurred and only look at what a great coach he is today or judge based solely on your personal experience with him coaching your team which really is irrelevant to the situation.
Doesn’t the coaches association have a legal fund for these types of situations? They should and I think it would… Read more »
According to peer reviewed studies, the rate of false accusation of child sexual abuse is low, about 5% and a large majority of those false accusations are reported by parents involved in custody battles.
Everson, M., and Boat, B. (1989). False allegations of sexual abuse by children and adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 28, 2:230-35.
…and according to the past actions of USAS – USAS has consistently shown a total disregard for truth in favor of protecting the organization and its leadership. Over abuse victims for a shameful number of years and now over the livelihood of a coach. I think, if most people knew the details of this particular case, they would be appalled at USAS’s blatant disregard of the welfare of one of its coach members. Having read all about the Rick Curl situation, I’m not sure why you feel you have the moral authority to come on this board and tell us all how beyond reproach this corrupt organization is, David.
CYA. Why don’t you identify yourself. You seem to get your “facts” from a loser blogger and clearly have no first hand knowledge of this issue. Are you aware that I have
Never spoken to and don’t know Rick Curl nor have I ever met Kelly Davies. She was a PEER of mine. Sorry I did not live up to your expectation that I should have been her knight in shining armor because she and her parents took hush money to not get Rick Curl in trouble. Better point is what have YOU done? Answer: nothing.
“So I am sorry for the other 8 or 9 coaches that are unfortunately losing there jobs based on false accusations.They are making a sacrifice on behalf of the victims who truly were harmed and also on behalf of potential future victims”.
I guess Jack is making the sacrifice you mention and it is his livelihood he is losing, not just his job.
USA swimming should make sure that before they take away a lifetime career from someone, the evidence supporting their decision is 100% accurate. Can it uphold in a court of law? If yes, then present the evidence of which you made the decision instead of hiding behind a computer screen posting replies and defense statements.
“So I am sorry for the other 8 or 9 coaches that are unfortunately losing there jobs based on false accusations. They are making a sacrifice on behalf of the victims who truly were harmed and also on behalf of potential future victims”
Really? Would you be willing to make the sacrifice of your career, your ability to support your family, your ability to work in the field you have worked so hard in your entire working career? Unless you would be willing to make this sacrifice yourself, I would not recommend making such a statement.
Mr. Berkoff
I appreciate the context you provided and information on the process used by USAS unfortunately the ruling impacts more than just a coach, it impacts over 300 swimmers and their families. As a Fleet parent with multiple swimmers on the team I can attest to the Jack we know as a passionate champion of both US Swimming and individual swimmer development. I can not speak to the Jack of 16 years ago and I appreciate that the process relies on the preponderance of the evidence. The Jack of today is someone I trust with my children both male and female, a passionate, positive role model. I respect the rules of USAS and their goal of protecting both their… Read more »
A few observations…
First, it is important to understand that USAS a private organization that is not required to follow the more commonly understood constitutional notion of due process. As a private member organization authorized under the Amateur Sports Act (ASA) USAS only needs to establish rules governing the conduct of membership that complies with the ASA. The ASA has due process requirements–the right to a hearing, appeal, and arbitration–and USAS sets forth its ASA-compliant due process requirements in Article 4 of the USAS Rules and Regulations. Article 4 sets forth rules of evidence and procedure, establishes notification and timeline processes, requires that testimony be given under oath, provides the right of cross-examination, establishes the burden of proof (preponderance of… Read more »
Too bad USAS took 30+ years to do something about the many serial predator coaches that roamed from team to team and caused them a lot of bad press. You can’t tell me that who you are doesn’t matter to USAS. I know some big name coaches who’ve had rumored affairs with minors (some who are now married to their victims). They have yet to be censured for their actions.
CYA,
USA Swimming can’t do anything about offenses it doesn’t know about. If you are aware of coaches who abused minors, you need to report it.
@ Do Something – have you not followed the USAS drama over the past 10 years? USAS knew plenty – many years ago – and did nothing. Google Concussion Inc. or USAS Outside Magazine and read up… I guarantee you that I suspect nothing that they don’t already know.
Mr. Berkoff:
Regarding BOR and attorneys, yes, they are permitted, but they must have permission to speak during the BOR hearings.
As for a comment made by another regarding starting another swimming body:
The sad fact is that coaches really do not have any options to leave USA-Swimming for another organization since USA-Swimming is the only group which “runs” competitive swimming.
I am not in any way, shape or form condoning any bad behavior by any coach towards any athlete, but I am concerned that a coach can be accused of an event which may have occurred over 16 years prior and lose a career.
Having attended several USA-Swimming House meetings, it is easy to understand that… Read more »
It’s really important that Jack, or any other Coach who feels he or she is the victim of a false allegation and a rogue quasi “judicial” process conducted by USA Swimming file a complaint with the American Arbitration Association against USA Swimming. It is their right under the USA Swimming Rule Book that a grievance against USA Swimming goes here first. The AAA will sort this out and make their ruling known. The members of ASCA need to know what their options are, too, because more and more Coaches are going to be affected by this. It is clear that we need to protect our athletes. What is equally clear is that USA Swimming has not provided equal protection to… Read more »
Having been a part of the Board of Review process at the local level, it resembles nothing like that of the judicial system. Although evidence can be presented, attorneys can be present (but not speak), the cases are decided by those not familiar with how the judicial system works. There is no “judge” and cases can be decided not by evidence, but rather by popularity.
I know of cases which have gone to the National Board of Review and have been handled much the same way or whether or not USA-Swimming finds the case “worth their while”, the only difference being that USA-Swimming Board of Review members will include an attorney.
Its a shame to read about Jack Maddan and… Read more »
So if most are not happy with how USAS is governing and controlling things (and I hear this from other swim friends on a local level too) why not strike back? Why not demand change or walk away? There can’t be a law anywhere that says USAS is the only way you can swim, it just always has been. Look at other sports, they have evolved, leagues have changed. Swimming can do the same, it just takes a few people to start it off.
I have added a comment to the section under Jack’s attorney’s comment under the same name. I live in another state and do not know Jack. I do, however, know very much about USA Swimming conducts their Board of Review Hearings having witnessed this directly, although I am not the accused. USA Swimming is waging a PR campaign to try to show Congress and the world that they have changed their policies towards Coach abusers, rooting them out and posting online their misdeeds as a badge of honor to permanently bar them from hiring and discredit them from any future employment, swim related or not. They have posted online victims cash funds and statements such as to paraphrase: “we have… Read more »
I think USA Swimming is treading into dangerous water with this decision. USA Swimming can’t really ban a beloved coach who has maintained a spotless record for many years based on one allegation that took place 16 years ago, or can they? USA Swimming requires confidentiality agreements, provides the accusers with legal counsel, admits or rejects evidence in its sole discretion and never has to explain final decisions. In a he said/she said incident I don’t trust one coach’s word but history has shown that USA Swimming certainly cannot be trusted. Swimmers are often at odds with their coaches and this process puts too much power into the hands of the accuser. All USA Swimming coaches should be very concerned… Read more »
How should USA Swimming handle it? Leave him on deck, how do they explain that, apparently eight months have been invested. How about another list with accused coaches that are awaiting litigation. Coaches that may have done something in the past but everyone seems to like them so we’re going to sit on the allegations until we go to court.
That’s the point, there is no court here and there was no litigation. The accuser does not have to file a claim in civil court, a much more open and thorough process, to destroy a coach’s life and temporarily derail an entire swim program. This goes way beyond merely liking a coach. This coach has been on deck 16 years with 0 complaints. Is one sexual assualt too many….yes, but one allegation without evidence could mean the coach is innocent. The few facts that have been disclosed leave everyone wondering how on earth an innocent coach could possibly overcome the process conducted by USA Swimming. Sexual misconduct is a broad term. Did this incident involve sexual assault or verbal innuendo?… Read more »
The allegation was sex with a minor. There is evidence and witnesses. It was reported to the authorities. You can say otherwise until you’re blue in the face, but Jack’s not telling you the truth.
Not true.
Give us an example of how USA Swimming should handle it so everyone agrees.
They obviously feel strongly enough to add him to the list.
Assault or Innuendo, neither should be tolerated.