Interesting

[Scott]

Did anyone notice in their current Skating Magazine that a certain coach was banned by the USFSA? Apparently Bob Young has been given the boot! This has got to be a first and a well deserved boot I might add. I wonder what this will mean for his current pair team...oh, well

[AxelAnnie22]

Why was he given the boot? Also, when discussing being fired, I believe "given the blade" is a better expression! LOL!

[manleywoman]

Originally posted by Scott
This has got to be a first ...

I beleive this is the second banning by the USFSA...wasn't a coach (in Texas?) banned last year?

[dcden]

Yes, wasn't Gordon McKellen banned for life? I think that's who you're thinking of in Texas. So he oughta have drinks with Tonya.

But who is Bob Young? What's his story?

[manleywoman]

Originally posted by dcden
Yes, wasn't Gordon McKellen banned for life?

Thanks dcden...that's the one I was thinking of!

[Trillian]

Originally posted by dcden
But who is Bob Young? What's his story?

Young has coached several international team members, including (in recent years) Nussear & Forsyth, Garrett Lucash and various partners, and current junior pairs champs Appel & Harris. He was also instrumental in bringing the huge Russian/Ukrainien contingent to Connecticut in 1994. He was accused of sexual harassment (or something along those lines) by former skater Jessica Roos in February of 2000; the criminal and civil cases in that matter apparently went nowhere, but it looks like the USFSA has found enough to convince them he should be banned. (There have been rumors that other skaters might have spoken up, but I don't know for sure.)

I'm surprised to hear this action was (finally) taken, but glad--looks like the USFSA is finally cracking down on things like this.

[speedy]

Yes, I guess it's hard to prove these things, but glad to see action is finally being taken. Here's an article from the time of the original allegations...

http://www.canoe.ca/Slam010313/ska_suit-ap.html

If those allegations were true, the guy is a slimeball and how anybody would still let their kids be coached by him is beyond me. The USFSA must have heard and seen enough.

[Jack]

All I have to say on this is:

IT'S ABOUT FREAKING TIME!!!!!!

[pattern99]

Urgh...that whole thing just makes me want to be sick. I'm sorry, no adult has the right to abuse their position as an authority figure. Bout time the USFSA got off their duffs and did something... I see she didn't waste too much time coming forward. Reminded me of the whole Callahan thing a few years back... :: shudder ::

*patt99*

~ btw, I've seen and been on the other side of the issue where the coach has been FALSELY accused. I'm in no way saying he is... just stating that I have very strong feelings on this subject. (NR, nuthin changes... i still got ur back! lol! even after how many years??!! :P )

[NiceIce]

Well, it is about time.
This was not some isolated little one time incident.
The USFSA would never ban a top coach, one who had been the actual Olympic coach and appointed to accompany our athletes, without an overabundance of evidence.
Evidence that has been whispered about for years.
A few years ago I went to a costume lady who was making costumes for a 15 year old icedancer .
The costume lady said the mother of the icedancer told her the girl was receiving gifts (diamond jewelry) from the coach, and that although he was a man in his 40's, and the gifts were expensive, the mother was prepared to overlook it because
"he said he could get her to the Olympics"
Sometimes the parents could intervene sooner, but look away for the sake of skating opportunity.
Sad but true.

Glad the USFSA finally did what it had no other choice to do.

[what?meworry?]

yo! jack, ditto!

and a great big "thank you" to usfsa for finally being willing to take a strong stand. one coach got away with it, but no more.

i might also add a "thanks" to usfsa for cracking down big time to the alcohol and "partying" abuse among skaters at nationals. please don't let your guard down this year. this has been one of the greatest concerns amongst parents.

[Skatewind]

Yes, so far this makes 1 per year being banned for life for inappropriate conduct since they implemented some of those rule changes. I can think of a couple more who should follow in their footsteps. Maybe next year we'll see another one...

[Skatewind]

Originally posted by dcden
Yes, wasn't Gordon McKellen banned for life? I think that's who you're thinking of in Texas. So he oughta have drinks with Tonya.
I think Tonya is probably way too old for him now. ;)

[pattern99]

damn... that was... cold. Oh well, brought it on himself. I can think of a truckload of coaches who could be (and SHOULD be) banned.... URGH!

*patt99*

[TheIceKing]

First of all I would like to thank the USFSA, its been a long time coming for this. Second of all, about the banning, what exactly does it mean? Can he not coach USFSA skaters? Or can he just not be on staff, and can't come to USFSA events and such. What I am getting at is, where does this leave Appel & Harris? I realize they also work with Cathy Collins [?] so she could bring them to events [i.e. Nationals], but can he still actually "coach" them? Thanks for any deatailed info anyone might have.

[Scott]

Originally posted by TheIceKing
First of all I would like to thank the USFSA, its been a long time coming for this. Second of all, about the banning, what exactly does it mean? Can he not coach USFSA skaters? Or can he just not be on staff, and can't come to USFSA events and such. What I am getting at is, where does this leave Appel & Harris? I realize they also work with Cathy Collins [?] so she could bring them to events [i.e. Nationals], but can he still actually "coach" them? Thanks for any deatailed info anyone might have. Well, I think that Mr. Young is absolutely banned from any USFSA activity which means no competitions. I believe that he can still coach but that is it. His skaters would have to send a subsitute to go to competitions ( and sanctioned shows!!). I heard that Cathy Collins moved out of Connecticut so Appel and Harris may not have her available. At any rate after such a sanction I can't believe that the parents of Ms. Appel would still permit her to be coached by this guy. Obviously the USFSA had information that made them uncomfortable to have Mr. Yopung around young ladies. My question is if Appell and Harris need a new caoch where will they go? Back to Simsbury? Maybe Vadim Naumov (sp?) ( Orscher/Lucash's coach) will take them in. That could be interesting.

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Scott
At any rate after such a sanction I can't believe that the parents of Ms. Appel would still permit her to be coached by this guy. Obviously the USFSA had information that made them uncomfortable to have Mr. Yopung around young ladies.

People who know someone and like them can be surprisingly blind to situations like this, for starters--Young isn't as popular as he once was, but he does still have plenty of friends and supporters who would likely maintain his innocence. (One of them, I understand, is a well-known contributor to the USFSA, which is one reason I'm surprised this action has been taken.) It's entirely possible the Appel family falls into this category. Or it's possible that they were aware of the charges and thought there might be some truth to them, but also decided that their daughter in particular wasn't in any danger. People have a remarkable power for rationalizing things in situations like this.

[Mazurka Girl]

He cannot be a USFSA member, register as a coach, obtain insurance through USFSA, or participate in any USFSA events. Due to the nature of the violation, in the area where I live, he would be unable to retain a teaching contract at park or city operated rinks. I guess at privately run rinks it's at the discretion of management & whether or not he maintains the necessary insurance through PSA, ISI or an individual policy.

[knocking]

I am wondering someone on this thread said.."it reminds me of the callaghan thing that happened a few years back"
what was that thing that happened?
was he accussed of something?

[Louis]

Originally posted by knocking
I am wondering someone on this thread said.."it reminds me of the callaghan thing that happened a few years back"
what was that thing that happened?
was he accussed of something?

In 2000, Craig Maurizi accused Richard Callaghan of molesting him back in the mid-1980s. The USFSA found that there was insufficient evidence, and no sanctions were taken against Callaghan, who denied all charges. You will find a lot of heated opinion on both sides, but these are the facts.

[IgglesII]

Originally posted by Scott
My question is if Appell and Harris need a new caoch where will they go? Back to Simsbury? Maybe Vadim Naumov (sp?) ( Orscher/Lucash's coach) will take them in. That could be interesting.

Now what would Vadim want with two skaters who can't land triples?

[Miss.Issippi]

Originally posted by IgglesII
Now what would Vadim want with two skaters who can't land triples?

Now, IgglesII, I'm surprised at you! That was fairly mean spirited.
:evil:
Since this is not Appel/Harris fault. I think everyone is genuinely wishing them well in finding another coaching situation. Since they have definately experienced success as reigning Jr. National champions, I would think it important. The potential is definatlely there.
Where id the other coach move to. Maybe that's a possibility.

[pattern99]

the question one might ask themself is who in their right mind would want to take from this guy after this?? regardless of the outcome (isi, psa etc) I would think it's safe to assume that his coaching career is pretty much over... or am I learning impaired?

URGH, this sport has so many creeps in it... fortunately the USFSA has started actually ATTEMPTING to do something about the problem, but one isn't enough.... there's plenty more...

*patt99*

[Scott]

PATTERN99 I agree with you. There are more of these creeparound but I think that the USFSA has now made a decision to deal with them. I think that this decision concerning Bob Young sends a message that these coaches who prey on their students had better look out. No longer will it be sewpt under the carpet.

[pattern99]

Just like to say that there's always MORE to a story than the USFSA will care to talk about. Just out of curiosity, why was it ok to prosecute Young where as Callahan and that whole thing was just swept under the rug??? how convienient for the USFSA IMO. Whatever, just seems like certain things are given a blind eye.

*patt99*

[coco]

you can thank USFSA. But we should first thank Jessica Roos. It takes a lot to speak up about something like this. A LOT.

[Scott]

Originally posted by pattern99
Just like to say that there's always MORE to a story than the USFSA will care to talk about. Just out of curiosity, why was it ok to prosecute Young where as Callahan and that whole thing was just swept under the rug??? how convienient for the USFSA IMO. Whatever, just seems like certain things are given a blind eye.

*patt99*

Knowing something about the Young story I can only say that the USFSA must of had some very compelling information about this guy's behavior. I know that the New England news media covered Youngs story very extensively and what was being reported wasn't nice. Also there was a pretty extensive police investigation in Simsbury. Maybe there wasn't as much evidence or invesitgation in the Callahan case. I think the fact that Callahans accuser waited so long to make charges ( wasn't the guy in his mid or late 309's?) may have had an effect. Roos was bringing charges against Young that were fresh and i believe that there were other concerns aabout skaters he was coaching at the time.
Whatever the reasons, the fact remains that the USFSA acted and did the right thing. We will never know the full story and don't really need to know.

[Trillian]

Originally posted by pattern99
Whatever, just seems like certain things are given a blind eye.

Well, clearly the evidence was different because I don't think this case was treated differently due to a difference in the status of the individuals. Young may not be as big a "name" as Callaghan, but he's certainly not someone without influence--he has some extremely powerful friends, names that are as recognizable as Callaghan's, and I'd imagine that's actually part of the reason this took as long as it did. If the USFSA was going to sweep something under the rug simply because a person was powerful, they'd never have taken this action.

Frankly, I think the reason action was taken in this case as opposed to Callaghan's is pretty simple--IF Callaghan is guilty of anything (and I haven't personally heard anything to indicate that he is, actually), he's been an awful lot more discreet about his activities. From what I understand, Young, at least in recent years, was a matter of gossip long before the actual charges were made because he didn't seem to make much effort to hide the off-ice time he spent with some of his female students.

[Mazurka Girl]

Also any grievance filed against Young would have been centered around a relatively new rule that was implemented within the last 2-3 years & was not specifically detailed in the rules during the Callaghan complaint like it is now.

[pattern99]

good point. I dunno, it just seems that this sport is alot darker than some people are willing to admit. Ah, yes...thank Jess. Roos...I'll bet it really did take alot of guts to come forward against something like that. A coach from my rink took from him and that was 20 years ago... her response, "Well it's about time. Decades of that stuff but now atleast something is being done about it." And like I've said before, it's very difficult in this sport to get the truth about ANY situation due to the fact that so many things get misconstrued and turn into nasty rumors. As far as the Callahan thing, I've heard alot of things about him and frankily, it errrrks me out. Made me not want to go near'em. Call it judgemental, or perhaps PARANOID! In any case, just glad to see progress being made.

*patt99*

Now the next problem they have to deal with would be false accusations. I've seen that almost ruin a coach's career. Way not kewl.
Pieces everyone!