ASCA to Discuss Banned Coaches Policy in September

Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien

The American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) has announced plans for the group’s September Board meeting. The meeting will include a discussion of the policy surrounding coaches who have been banned by USA Swimming.

In September of 2015, Joe Bernal was one of six coaches inducted into the ASCA’s Hall of Fame. Monday, USA Swimming announced a lifetime ban on the legendary coach.

While ASCA is not formally attached to USA Swimming, Bernal was banned for violating three sections of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct.

The Association is the professional service organization with over 10,000 coaches registered as members.

There are currently 15 members serving on the Board of Directors, including well known names within the NCAA and beyond to the Olympic ranks. Gregg Troy of the University of Florida, and Mike Bottom from the University of Michigan are on the board, along with Jim Tierney from the new McKendree University program. David Marsh, the 2016 US Women’s Head Olympic Coach is also a board member.

The ASCA Board of Directors includes:

Don Heidary of Orinda Aquatics, President
Kathleen Klein Prindle of Performance Aquatics Swim Club, Vice President
Jim Tierney of McKendree University, Vice President
Jennifer Gibson of Swim Fort Lauderdale, Executive Committee
Tim Welsh formerly of Notre Dame Swimming, Executive Committee
Mike Bottom of the University of Michigan
Ira Klein of Sarasota Swim Academy
Michael Lawrence of Lake forest Swim Club
David Marsh of SwimMAC Carolina
Amy Montgomery of Fallbrook Associated Swim Team
Tim Murphy of Penn State Swimming & Diving
Dave Salo of USC
Gregg Troy of University of Florida
Bill Wadley of Ohio State
Chuck Warner of ARETE Aquatic Services

Bernal’s life-time ban, which was announced publicly on Monday but originally went into effect on February 23rd of this year, has since been covered by many news sources including Fox 25 News and the Boston Herald. Video coverage by Fox 25 News showed exclusive footage of Bernal accepting his induction award into the ASCA Hall of Fame, as well as an official response from Swimming World’s publisher Brent Rutemiller. The full video can be viewed here.

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