Pokey Chatman

[DanGenck]

It seems like this story is smoldering, but refuses to break in to a full fire. I feel like if this were a male coach, people would be more up in arms about it... just my gut feeling.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=2795145

[LaxRef]

I feel like if this were a male coach, people would be more up in arms about it... just my gut feeling.

You mean male coach-male player, or male coach-female player? And what if it were female coach-male player?

Obviously, there are double standards involved here because people have irrational views about human sexuality. Heck, there are even double standards within double standards: "Lesbianism is wrong . . . . unless they're really hot and I get to watch!" Hopefully, the relevant laws involved are gender blind and address only the problems with a person in a position of power engaged in a relationship with a subordinate.

[mcshea21]

Are there any laws involved or is it more of an ethics/morality issue? Not trying to justify what took place, just looking for clarity on possible ramifications...legal or otherwise.

[LaxRef]

Are there any laws involved or is it more of an ethics/morality issue? Not trying to justify what took place, just looking for clarity on possible ramifications...legal or otherwise.

I'm no expert—and there are attorneys here who may chime in—but my understanding is that it would probably not be against the law for a college coach to have a relationship with a player unless there was some abuse of power. However, even if the relationship was consensual, if it turns sour and the player says it wasn't consensual and there was sexual harassment, it can be really hard for the coach to prove otherwise.

[Beta]

I can see it being a problem for recruiting too...

That'd make for some awkward questions while visiting a player and their parents....

"Does your child want to play for a winning team, service the community, win championships, enjoy scented candles, have long walks on the beach, etc?"

[anklebreaker]

To me its ok its a former player, not a current one. A woman on the U of M woman's basketball player was dating an assistant coach and he ended up losing his job over it and she quite the team. It really hurt that program and put the coach on the hot seat.

Do you this the assistant coach who "blew the whistle" maybe was looking to get a promotion??

[LaxRef]

To me its ok its a former player, not a current one. A woman on the U of M woman's basketball player was dating an assistant coach and he ended up losing his job over it and she quite the team. It really hurt that program and put the coach on the hot seat.

Do you this the assistant coach who "blew the whistle" maybe was looking to get a promotion??

I get the impression—and they haven't stated for sure—that the relationship took place when the player was a current player but she is now a former player. If the relationship took place after she left the school, I have a hard time seeing how anyone could have a problem with it other than homophobes.

[TexOle]

Coaches are in a position of authority. The players are their subjects. It is inappropriate for any person in a position of authority to have any kind of relationship with someone under their authority.

[LaxRef]

Coaches are in a position of authority. The players are their subjects. It is inappropriate for any person in a position of authority to have any kind of relationship with someone under their authority.

Well, two things (I'm not sure what you're responding to because you didn't quote):

(1) It is inappropriate, but the question being asked was whether it was illegal.

(2) A key question hinges is whether the player in question was a former or current player when the relationship took place. If it was current, yeah, it's a problem. If it was former, as I said, I can't see why it would be a problem.