A former Ohio club and high school swim coach who was found not guilty of sexual battery charges this week will remain on USA Swimming’s list of individuals permanently suspended or ineligible.
A jury found Eric Spaulding not guilty of sexual battery charges this week. The now-32-year-old former English teacher and swim coach was arrested last year after being accused of having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old senior at Perry High School, where he taught and coached.
He was banned by USA Swimming in October.
Spaulding denied that he had sex with the student, but did admit to flirting with and even kissing the student. Though the student was 18, Ohio law makes a sexual relationship criminal if the accused is an authority figure like a teacher or coach. The jury, though, found Spaulding not guilty yesterday.
USA Swimming’s Susan Woessner told SwimSwam that despite the verdict, Spaulding was still in violation of USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct and would remain banned:
“The decision will stand,” Woessner said. “The NBOR [National Board of Review] process is not dependent on the criminal process. Mr. Spaulding admitted to flirting with the athlete and kissing the athlete which is a violation of the Code of Conduct. “
Conduct, Schmonduct. USA Swimming arbitrarily enforces the Coaches Code of Conduct. PC is the worst. They covered up their sleazy coaches for years and another is on a rose to Prominence despite multiple instances of impropriety. Go PacSwim! Get those little girls!
Are you surprised? Look how long they covered up for Everett!
And Pat Hogan stays employed by USA Swimming. The Kangaroo court of Hypocrisy on full display.