With dozens of child sex abuse charges against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, it’s made many parents across the country question who exactly is coaching their kids.Iowa governor Terry Branstad has called for state agencies to review child abuse laws and policies, as well as who should be required to report the incidents.
Tony Adams has been Newman Catholics Baseball coach since 1999; he's also the K-12 administrator and in charge of filing background checks on coaching candidates.
"They look for the typical stuff, the felony stuff, anything on your record that could come up as a red flag,” said Adams.
It was because of these measures that former Penn State coordinator Jerry Sandusky was not allowed to be a volunteer coach at a high school in Pennsylvania and likely stopped more abuse allegations against the retired coach.
The archdiocese of Dubuque also does a background check for Newman on top of what the state does.
"Whether they're a volunteer or a sub, or a coach, even if they've had a state background check we still do our own. "
While there are guidelines for coaches at schools, the same can’t be said for traveling summer teams like in the Amateur Athletic Union.
"There are a lot less screens coming through club basketball and AAU Basketball,” said Myron Friesen.
Friesen has coached AAU basketball for a few years and his daughter Lexi also hoops it up for Osage and has played AAU ball the past five summers.
"We've just tried to tell our kids to avoid some of those one on one situations where they are the only person around."
Lexi added, "I've never felt like I've been in an awkward situation, I've always felt like my coaches have always cared about me. Having coaches and family around is a good thing.”
While background checks are a good place to start, it does not mean bad things still can’t happen.
That’s why school administrators are taught to look for other warning signs as well.
"I think if you were to notice kids spending more time with an individual or if you notice a student doesn't want to be around a certain individual, I think those are the obvious sign,” said Adams.
Despite all of the bad things that have come out of the Penn State Scandal, the Friesen’s say there are lessons to be learned from it.
"Communication is very significant; we always know where our kids are at and what time they are supposed to be at certain sports. We always talk to them when they come home and say hey how it went today," said Friesen.
Below are links to get more information on this subject
Terry Branstad requests review of child abuse laws and policies
Young athletes and sexual predators
Tips for parents-read pages 4-8
