Jackie Mero banned from USFSA

[Roseline]

Article from the Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/sports/othersports/skate16_20031016.htm

[danibellerika]

For a split second, I thought that it said Jennie Meno and I was like "poor naomi!" But regardless of that. That's a situation that's really a shame.

[Jess-ka]

wow...i wonder who the student was...:?:

[Mel On Ice]

I wish there were more qualifications to becoming a coach in this country, other than just having skating skills. There should be some sort of madatory requirement that professional coaches get a certificate in child development or education so they don't abuse children and themselves.

[PaulWyliefan]

I'm afraid even that wouldn't be a guarantee of good behavior. I wish it were that easy.

[A.H.Black]

I just recently watched an old tape of Good Will Games in 1990 and wondered whatever happened to the team of Petr and Janoschek.

Too bad.

[jcspkbfan]

Originally posted by A.H.Black
I just recently watched an old tape of Good Will Games in 1990 and wondered whatever happened to the team of Petr and Janoschek.

Too bad.

I never heard any updates on Jacqueline Petr after she and Mark stopped skating, either--until today. Needless to say, this was not the kind of update I wanted to read. :cry: Sounds like a sad situation all around...

I know a lot of Canadian skaters have complained about how much longer it takes to get qualified as a coach compared to the U.S. and that's one of the main reasons why top Canadian skaters like Jacqueline Petr coach in the States instead of staying in Canada. I don't know how much stricter Canadian coaching credentials are than those in the States, but after reading this, maybe we've got the better approach after all...

[speedy]

Lovely. The more of these stories that come out the more I question why any parent would allow their child to live in the home of their coach, married or not. Sounds sickeningly familiar to some previous coaching behavior that has been reported in the past. Did she skip the country for Canada to run from legal action?

[Trillian]

Originally posted by jcspkbfan
I never heard any updates on Jacqueline Petr after she and Mark stopped skating, either--until today.

Well, the Meros were quite big names on the U.S. coaching scene for the last couple of years, with a number of top lower level pairs and a handful of strong singles skaters as well. They were named the USFA Developmental Coaches of the Year a few years ago. But since Jackie changed her name, I wasn't aware of her previous background in the sport.

Incidentally, someone has mentioned on the Skatefans mailing list that the student in question was over 18, which makes this a matter for the USFSA according to their policies, but not a legal issue. It's not quite in the same category as a few of the other grievances that have come up over the last couple of years--although obviously it's also not okay, or there wouldn't have been action taken.

[blades]

8-)

canadians coach in the states for the same reason that russians do: there's more money to be made...

all the training and qualifications in the world won't stop such behaviour...hell...lowery is a past prez of the psa...an honorary psa member...twice master rated too...how much more "qualified" can one get???...and yet...

[Schmeck]

From this article, it sounds like everything was done right after the problem was reported - the adults involved did what they were supposed to do by reporting it, etc. So that's positive, anyways, right?

[mountains4me]

Nice of Joe Mero to give this interview and share details which the USFSA chose not to disclose. Lots more speculation out there now with names being drawn into the mess that shouldn't be. I know of one parent who had to deal with nonskating business associates questioning his child's involvement. Lots more to the story than the interview suggests. Not a great move by Mr. Mero! At least not for his skaters (current and ex).

[Skatewind]

If he's going to discuss it, I think it's much better that he specifically name the coach who has been banned. Rather than leaving it to speculation as was done in the topic here last month about this same person.

The skater may have been over 18, but it is an abuse of power & authority that results in a lack of trust regarding the skater-coach relationship. The correct action was taken regarding Jackie Mero & it was in regards to Joe Mero too.

[Skatewind]

More info about Joe Mero's suspension:

Joe Mero update (http://www.freep.com/sports/othersports/oly22_20031022.htm)