She cited the ongoing federal investigation, saying comment at this time would not be appropriate.. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. This is very dangerous. Wright won gold in 1 meter and 3 meter dives and was named Most Outstanding Diver of the Meet, while Cradock and his coaches were named the mens and womens Coaching Staff of the Year. Miller says that he remembers his swimming days at UMBC where there were just about a dozen swimmers on the team. I have to live with this really dark secret thats the undertone of my four years. I dont know if I would have seen the same success or not [somewhere else].. Cradock, who was 47 at the time of his death, was the head coach of the swimming & diving team at UMBC for 19 seasons, having begun his tenure back in 2001. That, combined with the transfer to UMBC and her respect for Cradock and his coaches, has made her a better swimmer. Cradock and his wife Christie had 3 children. The Retriever swimming and diving teams have dominated America East Conference competition during their time in the league. He also broke the America East record in the 100 backstroke. The U.S. Department of Justice now appears to be looking into the UMBC investigation as part of its civil rights probe into the school's Title IX compl. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Chad G. Cradock. Casey-Bolanos, J.J. But investigators wrote there wasnt enough evidence Cradock retaliated against swimmers, in part because there wasnt evidence of specific adverse action.. Hey SwimCoachPsychologistspeaking peer to peer as Im also a psychologist, you should know better than to weigh in on a situation where you dont have first exposure or interface with the issue. The investigators deemed the allegations were sufficiently serious for it to continue. UMBC is also under an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, the departments website shows, related to a sexual violence report. Cradock and his staff won a number of key coaching accolades cross 19 seasons, including the 2001-2002 Northeast Conference Womens Coach of the Year (01-02), ECAC Mens Coach of the Year (01-02, 02-03) and America East Mens Coaching Staff of the Year (03-04 and (04-05). The Justice Department declined to comment for this story. Gentle ripples of movement belie the engine propelling it powerfully beneath the surface. Gliese set a school and conference record for the 200 backstroke (1 minute, 42.56 seconds in a preliminary race) and later took home a gold medal in the event. They swept the America East championships this past winter, claiming the 31st and 32nd titles for the Retrievers26 of which have come since Chad Cradock 97, psychology, became the head swimming and diving coach in 2001. Weigelt, Christopher Employees can access support through the Employee Assistance Program. UMBC is also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education relating to a sexual violence report, though its unclear if that relates to the swim team and Cradock. Four days after UMBC sent out the amended notice, the university received word that Cradock had died by suicide. One student interviewed by attorneys on the universitys behalf remarked: I dont know how the higher ups did not know.. The only person who killed Chad, was Chad. USA Swimming had had him as a guest presenter twice for their webinar series that can be found on usaswimming.org. This is a year-round gig for the coaches, who often arrive on campus at 6 a.m. and stay until 7:30 p.m., with six to eight more hours on Saturday, plus other work on Sunday. So, even if the university did have a Title IX office, students may have had reason not to trust them. You made an effort with me and helped me grow up. Harding, Will 235.5. , all of whom work to create an environment where the swimmers and divers feel at home and are comfortable throughout the daunting schedule swimming requires. Head Swim Coach 2670 ccrado1@gl.umbc.edu: Vic Corbin: Head Diving Coach 3173 retrievers@umbc.edu: Mary Anne Gerzanick Asst. I am not sure exactly what happened so I can only speak on my experience. UMBC swimmers Jenna Gwinn, left, a graduate of Mount de Sales, and Makaela Hill, of Catonsville High, are shown at the Retriever Aquatics Center on Wednesday. Pieces of the report are quoted in the Baltimore Sun article and the SwimSwam article. 2021-2022 Practice Schedule & Coaching Assignments Join your RAC teammates and Swim Across America Consider joining Team Racing Against Cancer (RAC) at the 9/19/21 Swim Across America event to help raise money to fund cancer research and support our friend and teammate, Garrett Brown. My heart goes out to his poor wife and children who I pray are able to make it through this horrible tragedy. He was also the head coach of the Retriever Aquatic Club, where his children currently swim. People interviewed by The Sun and the universitys outside investigators described a one-way funnel under Cradock, where the team would only bring issues to him. And their investigation didnt delve into possible wrongdoing by any other coaches or administrators. UMBC Director of Athletics Brian Barrio named Matt Donovan to lead the men's and women's swimming and diving programs as the Retrievers' head coach in March of 2021. We love to be here, and we love to be with each other, and we love to enjoy our time. The real victims here are the three children who will never see their dad again. The publicity that follows the athletic success of some teams, well, thats for other sports. What is your credible source of proof for the statements you make? goodthe sound of their stroke is smooth and quiet. Its the most-watched sport in the Olympic Games.. Cradock said one moment that they all enjoyed recently came after winning the America East championship and the team returned to campus. They are also spending time together in the pool and staying connected as a team. Nicusan, Zacharias In the roughly year and a half since, the investigation has continued as student-athletes have grieved and grappled with Cradocks death and misconduct. Baldwin called the UMBC report incomplete., It appears to have been limited in scope by UMBC to only the last couple years, said Baldwin, of the firm Baldwin Seraina. The swimmers and divers work through a long and tough regimen all season to earn those championship banners, something they all take pride in. Men's Swimming and Diving at University of Delaware October 8, 2022 11:00 AM. became the head swimming and diving coach in 2001. realize is the grind the Retrievers endure to find all of their success, Cradock says. On Sunday, March 7, 2021, Chad G. Cradock of Odenton passed away. He swam with UMBC from 1993 to 1996 and still keeps in touch with some from the program, especially when he makes it back to campus. UMBC also has a chance for two others to earn spots in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Gold Club logo identifies Masters clubs and workout groups that provide members with the best Masters Swimming experience possible. Oana Brooks, Cradocks attorney, declined to comment but raised concerns about the investigation continuing after Cradocks death. The only facts I am aware of are regarding his death are these: 1) Chad resigned abruptly in December after a leave of absence and UMBC supported this. A lot of this was big time rumor mill kind of stuff, explained Dillon. The exact scope of the Justice Departments investigation into UMBC is unclear, as are potential consequences for any wrongdoing identified. And theyve done this largely without the fanfare received by more popular sports. In becoming the 10th coach in program history, the 53-year-old Ferry brings 20 years of experience as a head coach at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels, compiling a 325-279 mark. Logas, Collin We provide you four massive print issues designed to sit on your coffee table like a piece of artwork. He became head coach in 2001, bringing with him a philosophy that emphasized the coaches working with the student-athletes and not dictating to them. Cradock, 46, became UMBC's second-ever swimming and diving head coach in 2001 after swimming for the school in the 1990s and then serving as an assistant coach. This is about swimming.. He became head coach in 2001, bringing with him a philosophy that emphasized the coaches working with the student-athletes and not dictating to them. Bennici, Max According to the report, six of the male swimmers interviewed reported being touched in the genitals or buttocks; witnesses described observing others subjected to the same conduct. Cradock swam at UMBC from 1993 to 1997, lettering all four years and earning the Matt Skalsky Outstanding Scholar-Athlete award as a senior. He has coached two National Camps (2010, 2011) at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and assisted at the USA Zone Select Camp in Baltimore in 2012. We humbly offer our respects to all past, present, and future Indigenous people connected to this place. Chapman, Christian Growing up at UMBC, so to speak, the team has become a second family for Cradock. Both Baldwin and an attorney representing a sixth swimmer said their clients were considering their options when asked about any plans to file lawsuits. His dedication to the sport earned Chad a scholarship on the University of Maryland Baltimore County’s men’s team in which he competed as a long-distance freestyle swimmer. What our countries dont have is an independent, safe, unbiased system for athletes to report abuse by coaches. He led it to numerous conference title wins for the mens and womens teams. The agency and UMBC declined to comment on that probe. Chad was like a second father to me and one of the greatest men Ive ever meet. This is about swimming.. LIU held a 51-point lead over Monmouth entering Sunday . He enjoyed a stellar career from 1993 to 1997, after which he immediately was named assistant coach of his former team. Theres a seven page document spelling out everything that Chad did. Another thing that might surprise those new to the sport is the level of international competition the Retriever swimmers and divers engage in throughout the yearincluding the most watched competition of all, the Olympics. She said when she told Craddock about the assault, which was later corroborated by a different Title IX investigation, he told her it was her fault and chastised her for messing with the other swimmers head. Who knows whered I be if not for Chad. UMBC Athletics CORE values are: Growth, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork GRIT! Others disagree. The women's squad has captured four of the past seventitles, including a resounding victory in 2019. If that continued at UMBC, Cradock learned from the best. Swimmers in recent months also have been interviewed by U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigators looking into the universitys compliance with federal rules barring gender discrimination in education. UMBC was established upon the land of the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples. Chad graduated from St. Josephs High School in Ontario, Canada in 1992. He made the decision for everyone that they wouldnt see their day in court. He was one of the universitys most fiercely loyal employees. We treat them the way we would want our kids to be treated wherever they went.. What? Chad, you helped shaped the person I am today.Read more , To those people not directly involved in the cases/investigation question the right of those victims to speak up, and for those courageous kids (remember, most of the victims here are under 21 years old and college students age same as YOUR KIDS , Well, I/we wont back down No, I/we wont back down You can stand me/us up at the gates of hell But I/we wont back down No, Ill/well stand my/our ground Wont be turned around And Ill/well keep this man from draggin me down Gonna stand my/our ground And I/we wont back down, (I/we wont back down) Hey, haters, there aint no easy way out (I/weRead more . Its probably tripled in one year the amount of people that reached out to the swimming program. Within minutes, police responded to the call and determined that no threat had been made. No one needs to hear each others opinions. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/more-women-come-forward-amid-umbc-baltimore-county-cover-up-allegations/. Its possible the investigation could lead to a monetary settlement and mandated improvements, like a recent probe into San Jos State University in California. We can all be proud of their resilience and commitment to each other through this challenging time. Chad came to UMBC as a student athlete in 1993 and earned his . The UMBC mens and womens swimming and diving programs have won plenty in their own righteven if most people dont realize it. Davenport, Jeff The UMBC community was still reeling from accusations that their administration covered up sex crimes. He is a native of Serbia, where he was the Serbian National Champion (20 times) and national record holder in 200 and 400 meter IM. That UMBC has remained silent, to me, suggests all sorts of things. If Coach Cradock was not allowed to do what he wanted to you, he wasnt going to coach you, one swimmer said, per an interview in the report according to The Sun. "Their level of achievement in the pool is only heightened by how successful they are in the classroom. This comment section is getting dark. According to a new report from the East Valley Tribune, Chen committed suicide just two days after he was arrested in a child prostitution sting. Cradock resigned abruptly in December 2020, weeks after hed been ordered by the university to have no contact with student-athletes and stay off campus, documents show. According to the report by the outside law firm, one swimmer alerted UMBC employees about inappropriate behavior in mid-2019. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Title IX reports included as exhibits in the UMBC investigation range from that swimmers anonymous 2019 report to an email sent to the athletic director in October 2020 describing favoritism and failure by Cradock to properly handle Title IX complaints, to a flurry of reports in December 2020 after Cradock was removed from campus. Swimmers also questioned whether the university failed to properly respond to earlier complaints against Cradock. The report acknowledged that at least two swimmers alleged Cradock discouraged them from making reports to the university and found Cradock violated his no-contact order by texting some swimmers. The Sun also says that swimmers have been interviewed by U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigators looking into the university and if it complied with federal rules barring gender discrimination in education. Coach Donovan was an integral part of my camp program at (USC) for many years. I think it has a lot of effect, and it starts with name recognition, Cradock said. When she competed in the 100 butterfly on August 6she still remembers the dateshe said, with a smile, my dad came to see me, [and when] I found him, he was still crying. Matt brings the experience, work ethic, and integrity that this program will need to continue its growth into national prominence, Barrio said. From 2015-19, Donovan served as the head counselor of the Salo Swim Camp and as a volunteer with the Trojan Athletic Club at the University of Southern California. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County police department received a call from UMBC Athletics at 12:01 p.m. today saying a threat had been made against members of the athletic community. Its called affirming a disjunct and its why this either/or logic is silly. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they do weights from 6:15 to 7 a.m., then swimming drills, kicking technique, and recovery (7 to 7:45 a.m.). Take your anger elsewhere, get professional help; your life matters too. It isnt fake news. UMBC Director of Athletics Brian Barrio named Matt Donovan to lead the mens and womens swimming and diving programs as the Retrievers head coach in March of 2021. The former coach allegedly touched numerous male swimmers in their genitals, investigators found. Students described their confusion and questions about the findings of the law firms report for UMBC. 1. Final. , is now a corporate lawyer in New York. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our latest updates! Per the report, Chen had arranged to meet with a . That means team shout-outs on birthdays and creating spaces where athletes can talk with coaches on a regular basis about problems in swimming, classes, and life. We humbly offer our respects to all past, present, and future Indigenous people connected to this place. Lets not let our emotions shape our arguments. Its not seen as popular of a sport, and thats the way America looks at it, Cradock says. But Cradocks leadership included misconduct, UMBCs outside investigators wrote in their 105-page final report. They said they were confused by shifting points of contact and a change in how Cradocks actions were being examined. You spent time with me to make sure I could interview and make eye contact once I graduated. Born in Ontario, Canada, his love of swimming started as a child at Camp Chikopi in Magnetawan, Ontario. In. Neophytou, the third Retriever to make the Olympics, said her UMBC teammates often pick her brain about what it was like to swim there, and getting that rare opportunity improved her self-confidence. , who came to UMBC this year from Cyprus (a 30-hour trek to Catonsville), the family spirit shined especially bright around the holidays. In the fall of 2019, LIU had the fourth highest GPA in Division I womens swimming. Dressler, Jimmy These athletes are scared. Chad graduated in 1997 and decided to remain a Retriever, coaching with both the Retriever Aquatic Club and as the assistant swimming and diving coach at UMBC. Former UMBC coach Chad Cradock has died, the team was told in a meeting on Sunday evening. UMBCs Title IX process prioritizes the schools reputation over student safety, Baldwin said, according to The Sun. Familys read this, the victims read this, have some respect, Just paid the $1 to read the Baltimore Sun article the culture and behaviors described in that article sound eerily similar to the culture etc fostered by Cradocks mentor and predecessor when he was coaching HS before moving up to UMBC. Gold Clubs have a U.S. Masters Swimming-certified coach on staff, participate in fitness events, and offer a free trial to potential members, among many other benefits. Baldwin said, according to the report are quoted in the Baltimore umbc swim coach death! And receive our latest updates better swimmer, Chad G. 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