Topic: USAW requires criminal background checks to keep coaching certifications

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

Oh boy, as I've told all my friends - "I just wanna lift weights."   

All the best,
 Arden

[Albert B. Gonzalez]

would you consider this move a desperate attempt too seem more "politcally correct" which imo is totally unjustified

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Who can predict the psychology of people? Some might be for it because of political correctness. Some may be eagerly anticipating the revenue stream, some may be drawn to the "power" to decide others' fate, and some may be looking to settle grudges and old scores. Some could just be morons also.

[Andy Dick]

I talked to a friend who is in law school about the legality of them changing the contract.  They informed me that because coaches at times deal with minors they can take the stance they are looking out for the best interest of minors and almost that always holds up in court.  Saying you are doing it to protect minors goes a long way I guess (take it for what its worth, not straight from a lawyer but someone training to be one).  I am thinking there is some motive behind this (not sure what) but it is what it is.  I don't really care about getting a background check per say because I had to with the high school I work at but I think its foul that we need to every 2 years and on our dollar.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I'd consider any Justice done in our "legal system" to be a miracle. Still, a suit could have an impact by costing the USAW a lot of $. I am considering it, mostly for experience in "practicing" law.

[Markus Demeglio]

Don't forget we have to pay $20 to get our rights infringed upon also.  For me its no big deal I have no marks on my record except for a speeding ticket, I was like run your foul background check.  Then I see you have to pay 20 bucks for a background check they are running or you lose your membership as a coach!  If they have this huge hard on for background checking coaches then they should fit the bill not us.  The high school I work at made me take a background check but they told me before taking the job and they at least paid to have it done.  Its almost funny, I want to let my coaching membership go now.  I will still pay the membership fee to compete as an athlete but I already learned all I needed to from the club coach course and can't learn anything new from the USAW unless I get the senior coach (but to get that you need to have 2 athletes claiming you as a coach and qualifying for a major comp anyway).

As someone going through the Sr. Coaching course, my advice is dont both. The way the lifts are taught is 'my way or the highway' and while the instructors preach that we should take the lifter into account, they are very insecure about accepting anything outside the manual. You wont learn anything new from the coaching manual.

[Ryan Wilkinson]

this is not inspiring information

Don't forget we have to pay $20 to get our rights infringed upon also.  For me its no big deal I have no marks on my record except for a speeding ticket, I was like run your foul background check.  Then I see you have to pay 20 bucks for a background check they are running or you lose your membership as a coach!  If they have this huge hard on for background checking coaches then they should fit the bill not us.  The high school I work at made me take a background check but they told me before taking the job and they at least paid to have it done.  Its almost funny, I want to let my coaching membership go now.  I will still pay the membership fee to compete as an athlete but I already learned all I needed to from the club coach course and can't learn anything new from the USAW unless I get the senior coach (but to get that you need to have 2 athletes claiming you as a coach and qualifying for a major comp anyway).

As someone going through the Sr. Coaching course, my advice is dont both. The way the lifts are taught is 'my way or the highway' and while the instructors preach that we should take the lifter into account, they are very insecure about accepting anything outside the manual. You wont learn anything new from the coaching manual.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I thought the courses were mildly interesting. I certainly wouldn't do them again, even without this program. With this program, I'd say anyone who does them is foolish to waive their privacy rights and submit to unnecessary costs and bureaucracy. I would just coach without the certifications. Unless you are looking for a full time job coaching, they are useless really for someone who already knows the sport. And, even if you want one of those jobs, the certs will do nothing if you don't kiss a lot of butt, rub elbows with the important bureaucrats, etc.