Jamie Thomas, the former head coach of New South Swimming in North Carolina, has been added to USA Swimming’s List of Individuals Permanently Suspended or Ineligible on Monday morning. Thomas coached at the Charlotte site of the multi-site club.
Thomas, unlike many coaches on the list, appealed the ban, but in a statement, USA Swimming says that the appeal panel, made up of five members of USA Swimming’s Board of Directors, held up the decision made by the National Board of Review.
USA Swimming has permanently suspended former member coach Jamie Thomas for violations of Articles 304.3.4, 304.3.6, 304.3.8(A), and 304.3.18 of the 2013 USA Swimming Code of Conduct and has added his name to the public list of Individuals Permanently Suspended or Ineligible.
In November 2013, the National Board of Review convened a hearing which resulted in a ban of Thomas’ USA Swimming membership. Thomas appealed the National Board of Review’s decision and asked the panel to overturn the ban. Following the appeal process, the appeal panel—made up of five members of USA Swimming’s Board of Directors—upheld the original decision made by the National Board of Review and his name has been added to the public list of individuals suspended for life from USA Swimming.
Thomas’ infractions of the code-of-conduct are a laundry-list, and one of the biggest lists of infractions of the 101 individuals permanently banned. They are listed below:
305.3.4 Violation of any of the Athlete Protection Policies set forth in Article 305
304.3.6 Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past or present, or the existence of any pending charges, for (i) any felony, (ii) any offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent to distribute illegal drugs or substances, (iii) any crime involving sexual misconduct, or (iv) any criminal offense against a minor.
304.3.8 A Any inappropriate sexual conduct or advance, or other inappropriate oral, written, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed towards an athlete 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).
304.3.18 Any other material and intentional 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.
305.1 Inappropriate touching between an athlete and an adult non-athlete member or Participating Non-Member (as defined in 401.1) is prohibited, including, but not limited to, excessive touching, hugging, kissing, sexually oriented behavior, sexually stimulating or otherwise inappropriate games, and having an athlete sit on a non-family member adult’s lap.
305.5 Travel
.1 Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with an athlete unless the coach is the parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete.
.2 Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have successfully passed a USA Swimming-required criminal background check.
.3 When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, the athlete must have his/her parent’s (or legal guardian’s) written permission in advance to travel alone with the coach.
.4 Clubs and LSCs shall develop their own travel policies. USA Swimming will provide a model club travel policy as an example. Club travel policies must be signed and agreed to by all athletes, parents, coaches and other adults traveling with the club.
Thomas was cited for the above rules out of the 2011 Code of Conduct, which gives some time frame on his infractions (since 2011). Thomas was charged in September of 2013 with misdemeanor sexual misconduct after being arrested in Alabama, and has been on leave from coaching since July.
Little beyond rumor has come out about the accusations against Thomas, but in October a prosecutor in the case told SwimSwam’s Ceci Christy that criminal charges had been dropped.
We were in NSS after James Thoma left, but if you search the tax records he is still pays the taxes for the team, is that a violation? We left because the team became a disarray last season, the current “owner” doesn’t even live in Charlotte and based on his behaviour, doesn’t even care for the team, doesn’t show up to volunteer in the hosted meets, while asking parents to volunteer. Everything was very shady, so we left. Parents should really wonder if their dues are going to his pockets.
I swam for Jamie many years ago and I can say that this is no surprise. He was a horrible person then and he obviously still is. He was always over the line in terms of mental abuse and leering at the young girls that swam for him. Just a terrible human being.
All who are quick to judge NSS families need to realize how well the other coaches are doing to hold their team together. It would be easy for them to cower away move everyone to a new team and quit when things get worse and worse. The team will soon not be funding Jamie as he has no choice and has been found guilty by the board created by us to protect us. It is a sad situation for all involved. People instead of throwing stones hold your kids tight, follow the rules, tell your children the truth, guide and protect them the best you possibly can.
Change the name of the team.
NSS will forever be associated.
Your comments are very ignorant and unhelpful.
Please enlighten us, no response for “formernss”?
If the accusations are remotely accurate his behavior is unacceptable.
And if the charges were dropped are you saying nothing happened? Clearly a panel read things differently or he would still be on deck.
Jamie is a good man. I’ve known him for 20 years. Swam for him, traveled with him many times. He is a good coach and even better person. The charges were dropped for a reason. So “smash” away, but you clearly do not know the man or the facts.
Based on the list of infractions above, your view is hard to understand.
That’s because you probably didn’t know Jamie Thomas.
Correct, But I’ll pass for on obvious reasons.
I knew Jamie Thomas. He was NOT a good person, regardless of his coaching ability. He made inappropriate comments to his pupils and anyone else who seemed to be an easy target. I’m not at all surprised by the accusations and I think anyone defending him needs to think about the child involved- a child’s innocence allegedly stolen away and you’re worried about the perp? I know it is human nature to hope for the best in people but when a child comes forward about being assaulted by an adult in any way, you listen.
You forget to mention he was named NC Senior Coach of the Year just a couple years ago, and has sent several people to Junior Nationals/Olympic Trials where many of those swimmers made finals.
These points don’t excuse his behavior.
NSS families should ask if their dues are going into his pockets?
Oh no, here we go again. Is this going to be another thread of defending another coach who violated the USA Swimming Code of Conduct? Hulk Smash is waiting to SMASH, SMASH, SMASH.
I know, right?
“Excuse me, but you failed to mention that he was a fantastic job-creator. Sure, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party made a few mistakes here and there, but this Hitler guy knows how to run a country!”
Smash!
The difference – Thomas was CHARGED with performing oral sex on a minor WITHOUT consent according to previous stories.
Those charges were dropped.