CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland State University basketball coach Gary Waters got a clear message from a program on Tuesday about sexual abuse and athletics: You can't be too diligent.
"Situations come up that you think are not major but the biggest thing is that you have to do now is pay attention to every detail," said Waters, who has been a coach since 1974.
Even the most experienced coaches are re-examining their programs in the aftermath of the Penn State scandal involving Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator for the school's football team, who is charged with sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period. Sandusky, 67, denies the charges and is free on bond.
As the scandal unfolded, Penn State President Graham Spanier and legendary football coach Joe Paterno lost their jobs.
"I can't tell you how many times I and the president have been asked in the past eight weeks, 'What are you doing in response to the scandals?'" CSU Athletic Director John Parry said Tuesday at his mandatory seminar for all coaches, athletic personnel and recreation department staff. "The bottom line is we care about the young men and women on our campus and want to know how best to support them. We need to be aware and know how to respond."
He brought in Ty White, of Cleveland, an authorized NCAA speaker who travels to colleges across the country to present programs for coaches, educators, athletes and parents on how to sustain success.
White added a program called the "Triangle of Trust," regarding the role of colleges, student-athletes and their parents regarding sexual abuse. He said CSU was the first college in Ohio to offer a program on sexual abuse.
White, who played football at West Virginia University, revealed that he had been sexually abused by a woman when he was 10 and witnessed, but did not report, an incident when fellow college football players raped a woman who was passed out in a bedroom.
"We've got to change the culture," he said. "Penn State is the poster child ,but many institutions do nothing to protect children and athletes. Parents need to be aware of what their children are doing or any changes and we have to educate college personnel and students."
He said that by the time a sexual predator is caught, he or she has victimized at least 32 people and has no criminal record, according to the FBI.
"A background check will not help you out," White said. "You have to recognize behavior and respond appropriately."
He explained the types of molesters and predators, how victims are selected and how the victim is made to feel responsible and is not likely to report what has happened.
White also said coaches have to be careful in how they interact with youths, including being alone with them or giving them a ride home because innocent acts can be perceived in other ways.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid spoke about how coaches should contact law enforcement if they believe something is wrong. And state representatives Kenny Yuko, a Democrat from Richmond Heights and Bill Patmon, a Democrat from Cleveland, said they are considering introducing legislation to increase penalties for sexual abuse.
More material and information will be developed for CSU's athletic department, Parry said.
After the program, volleyball coach Chuck Voss said he learned a lot that will help him as a coach and as the father of four children.
"I thought it was phenomenal," said softball coach Angie Nicholson. "We need a couple more sessions. We can't stop here."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: kfarkas@plaind.com, 216-999-5079
Source: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/01/cleveland_state_university_coa.html
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