Stephen Witcher, who has served as both a coach and a volunteer within USA Swimming, was added to the permanently banned list effective April 8th, 2016. Witcher was banned under section 304.3.7, which reads:
“Any sexual conduct, advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action 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 affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such adult is a member or not). Any nonconsensual physical sexual conduct, or pattern of unwelcome advances or other sexual harassment in connection with or incidental to a USA Swimming-related activity by any person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such person is a member or not) directed toward any member or other person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming.”
A cached version of Snake River Swimming, a USA Swimming club in Idaho, lists Witcher as the Technical Planning Chair for the club. The current version of the website has deleted Witcher and replaced him with “TBA”.
Witcher was the head coach of Cascade Swim Club in the Seattle Area from 1989-2005. Witcher also had a brief stint as interim coach of the North Whidbey Aquajets, as well Tiger Aquatic Club (TAC) in Idaho. Witcher is still listed as Head Coach of TAC per USA Swimming’s website, although it is unclear when that was last updated.
We were unable to find any more information about any incidents that might have led to this banning.
This ban never should have happened. It really is a travesty that someone’s career was ruined by hearsay, unproven hearsay, a falsehood to boot. Shame on you USA Swim. It was from over 40 years ago. And now an outstanding coach with impeccable credentials, character, dedication pays the price.
This claim wasn’t hearsay, and Coach Witcher confessed to the molestation verbally and in writing. He died on July 1, 2016, in Pocatello, Idaho. Here’s the notice of his death: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/idahostatejournal/obituary.aspx?pid=180547526
no on the molestation. the claim could not be factually proven.
Remember him as the inspirational coach he was. Swim USA didn’t act impulsively; they investigated with caution and due diligence. He did confess, to more than one person, verbally and in writing. Here’s a legal definition of molestation: http://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=1274 Note that it ranges over a variety of acts.
He got punished for something that happens many many many years ago. He was also never prosecuted. Sounds like someone had a vendetta…
CRL, Was good friends with all of you growing up in the swimming world. I really need to talk to you about the above. How do we get a hold of each other? I have already tried looking for you with no avail. This is really important to me. Please respond.
CRL/Cindy – happy to connect you all via email, with your permission.
You have my permission to give her my email. Thank you!
Braden, you have my permission to give Cindy Wilson Romano my email address.
Can you display proof of that confession? Along with that obituary maybe post your proof of his confession.
This was something that happened 40 years ago. Too bad someone’s career got ruined by something that happens so long ago
Purely personal aside but if this is in fact true now a good half of my former coaches have been banned by USA swimming. Damn
Snake River Swimming is the LSC.