Barnstormers

[Saywhat2]

If what is alleged turns out to be true, the Barnstormer AAU affiliation should be permanently terminated.

 

[Kraftwerk]

What happened?

 

[rk#5]

If what is alleged turns out to be true, the Barnstormer AAU affiliation should be permanently terminated.

For 1 guys actions?

 

[iowalongs230]

For 1 guys actions?

Yeah, unless you can prove the leadership knew this was going on and did nothing about it, like in the Nassar gymnastics case, then I don't see why you punish the entire organization.

 

[Bulldog198240]

First of all this is a privately run organization ...the AAU affiliation is a misnomer...they don’t play in any AAU tournaments everyone uses the term “AAU “ to describe all summer basketball when in realty that’s not true

 

[Saywhat2]

For 1 guys actions?

Absolutely!! Apparently the accusation was enough to can him.....he was a founder of the team.....let’s see what law enforcement finds....and if it’s true....yes...they should be disbanded. And if they are not affiliated with the AAU....someone should let all the newspapers know about it.....and their own twitter feed that lists them as an Adidas sponsored AAU program. There is a former player quoted in the Des Moines Register stating that this coach routinely slept in the same bed as players, and woke up one morning to the coach masturbating. How could the rest of the organization not know? Disgusting.

 

[rk#5]

Absolutely!! Apparently the accusation was enough to can him.....he was a founder of the team.....let’s see what law enforcement finds....and if it’s true....yes...they should be disbanded. And if they are not affiliated with the AAU....someone should let all the newspapers know about it.....and their own twitter feed that lists them as an Adidas sponsored AAU program. There is a former player quoted in the Des Moines Register stating that this coach routinely slept in the same bed as players, and woke up one morning to the coach masturbating. How could the rest of the organization not know? Disgusting.

Right one guys actions means get rid of everything. One guys actions doesn't warrant that

 

[Bulldog198240]

Absolutely!! Apparently the accusation was enough to can him.....he was a founder of the team.....let’s see what law enforcement finds....and if it’s true....yes...they should be disbanded. And if they are not affiliated with the AAU....someone should let all the newspapers know about it.....and their own twitter feed that lists them as an Adidas sponsored AAU program. There is a former player quoted in the Des Moines Register stating that this coach routinely slept in the same bed as players, and woke up one morning to the coach masturbating. How could the rest of the organization not know? Disgusting.

You are right it does say AAU but truth be told ...the tournaments they play in are NOT AAU sponsored but the point of your statement is correct.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

What we are not hearing here is the devastating effect on some of the players. They are being interviewed by the authorities and having to re-live in some cases what may have been extremely disturbing to them. They have to deal with talking to their parents, their coaches, their counselors about the videos and more. Some of their classmates may not know what to say or think. They will be asked questions that some kids have never even thought about. They have to deal with thinking about law enforcement, medical or social service people having access to and viewing the videos or photos of them undressing, showering, and who knows what else. If he slept in the same bed with a player(s), was that also secretly videotaped? No kid is perfect, so they worry what could be on a video someplace. And-- these are the children of our neighbors, players that we watch and cheer for, some of whom may be in Des Moines playing in the tournament, or some who were so negatively impacted so severely that it may have adversely affected their performance in practice and in games. Every Barnstormer player who had a shooting slump or some disciplinary problems will be scrutinized by some troll or gossiper. Perverts have a way of victimizing the weakest and youngest, not the top star players. Did he promise them things? what else did he do besides videotape or peep? I've already heard about some concerns at some schools. This is a sad, sad situation. I know one of the coaches of the younger kids and he is a fine man, but there is no doubt that the future of the Barnstormers is in serious, serious jeopardy.

 

[VanderHoops]

rk#5One guys actions doesn't warrant that

Yeah, unless you can prove the leadership knew this was going on and did nothing about it, like in the Nassar gymnastics case, then I don't see why you punish the entire organization.

in this case, YES.
Ignorance is not a defense when minors are involved.

He was a founder of the group, and the administrators did not have a system in place where unaccompanied minors were protected. That's negligence.
This is going to end with every adult administrator in the system being named in lawsuits, and rightfully so.

The Barnstormer program needs to be disbanded and anyone involved in the leadership banned from youth sports in the future.
I don't think every volunteer coach needs to be blacklisted though, just be honest when interviewed and look for another program to help out with.
Especially reach out to your current/former players. Some of them will be hurting.

No parent will want their kid associated with the name anymore and there are plenty of options for Iowa youth sports available.

 

[HawkPT]

I agree. I don't think this ends well for the Barnstormer brand. It will be interesting to find out more details. Negligence is one thing; having an awareness and doing nothing about it is another thing all together. Just look at the stories at Penn State and Michigan State.

 

[iowalongs230]

I didn't realize he was a founder, I should have done my homework. Thanks for that clarification. I can't argue with your conclusions about the program.

 

[iowa12]

For 1 guys actions?

Yes

 

[Saywhat2]

Right one guys actions means get rid of everything. One guys actions doesn't warrant that

Yes it does! In this instance involving minors it absolutely does. If law enforcement finds these accusations to be true, I don’t think the Barnstormers will be given a choice. They will undoubtedly be sued out of existence. Rightfully so.