So sad that a man who was so loyal to UMBC was shown no compassion. The behavior was minimized around the team by referring to this behavior as just Chad., I felt powerless to do anything about it, one swimmer told The Sun regarding Cradocks harassment. There were dozens and dozens of teammates who corroborated stories and were interviewed even though they were not part of the 6 named. Former UMBC coach Chad Cradock has died, the team was told in a meeting on Sunday evening. Comments unavailable on mobile. A footnote on the reports final page stated it does not appear assistant coaches made proper Title IX reports, despite witnesses indicating they disclosed pertinent information to them. Students in need of grief counseling or emotional support can contact the Counseling Center at 410-455-2472 on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. 5 p.m., or the after-hours support line at 410-455-3230. You along with these clowns passing judgement and making accusations without a single bit of publicly available evidence, is sickening. Jyawook, Gabe Unfortunately being forced to defend him against unfounded accusations. Within minutes, police responded to the call and determined that no threat had been made. Likewise, many people can be unaware of these happenings while for others, it shaped their entire experiences. The Retrievers certainly did what they planned for when taking the mens and womens team titles in the February 2019 America East championships in Worcester, Massachusetts. Born in Ontario, Canada, his love of swimming started as a child at Camp Chikopi in Magnetawan, Ontario. UMBC is also under an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, the departments website shows, related to a sexual violence report. In interviews, students described feeling left in the dark for much of the lengthy investigation on behalf of the university. Over time, citizens of many more Indigenous nations have come to reside in this region. The exact scope of the Justice Departments investigation into UMBC is unclear, as are potential consequences for any wrongdoing identified. The student-athletes are wonderful representatives of the university and the alumni stay very connected. For junior economics major Sotia Neophytou, who came to UMBC this year from Cyprus (a 30-hour trek to Catonsville), the family spirit shined especially bright around the holidays. Our thoughts and hearts go out to Christie, Amanda, Geoffrey, and CJ. But every day, the swimmers and divers head to the pool anyway. Originally from Barrie, Ontario, Chad came to UMBC on a swimming and diving scholarship. Humans are imperfect creatures by nature, capable of making great accomplishments and great mistakes alike. Chad was best known for his big smiles, jovial laughs, and unconditional love and support to those whose lives he touched. Harding, Will Dinah Winnick, a UMBC spokeswoman, said in an email the school is cooperating with the Justice Department investigation. What can they do? Visit umbc.edu/swimming for a first-hand look at what it took to do our DIY underwater photo shoot. That our institutions both neglect athletes and turn their back on their coaches is despicable. Beloved husband of Christie Cradock; devoted father of Amanda, Geoffrey, and CJ; loving son of Brian G. Cradock; caring brother of Stacey Cradock; Chad was predeceased by his mother Patricia Cradock.

Born in Ontario, Canada, his love of swimming started as a child at Camp Chikopi in Magnetawan, Ontario. Gentle ripples of movement belie the engine propelling it powerfully beneath the surface. He is a great fit for our UMBC community and I'm excited to connect a leader like Matt with the superb student-athletes we have at UMBC.. [Being a student athlete is] hard in general, but what Ive tried to do have the swim team become part of my family so that nobody kind of resents each other, Cradock says. For years, the UMBC swimming and diving team has been quietly winning its way into university history. Indoors all year and outdoors, from April to November, where you will grow as a swimmer. Under Donovans lead, LIU womens swimming produced dozens of school records, and NEC and ECAC individual and relay championships in five seasons, but the most impressive has been the teams performance in the classroom. At LIU, Donovan started with seven womens competitors in the fall of 2016 and opened the 2020-21 campaign with 29. A decorated swimmer in his own right, Donovan was a two-time captain of the Keene State (N.H.) College squad, qualified for the conference championship each season, made ECAC's twice, and helped break multiple team relay records. Photo from The Retriever Archives. 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. Head Swim Coach 2670 ccrado1@gl.umbc.edu: Vic Corbin: Head Diving Coach 3173 retrievers@umbc.edu: Mary Anne Gerzanick Asst. UMBC Athletics and the broader campus community are deeply saddened by the passing of retired UMBC Swimming and Diving Coach Chad Cradock '97. Cradock was placed under investigation in late 2020 after allegations that included sexual harassment and discrimination. Also no one is making him a martyr we are all mourning someone who made a huge positive impact in our lives, celebrating his life. And that they know better and are smarter than legal professionals hired by the university to investigate for over 2 years that spoke to coaching staff, former athletes, current athletes, and university employees AND the US Department of Justice? 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. David Miller 96, economics, is now a corporate lawyer in New York. 2023 Swim Swam Partners, LLC. Dear Swim Swam. One student said in an interview with The Sun that he felt betrayed by UMBC. 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. On Sunday, March 7, 2021, Chad G. Cradock of Odenton passed away. He also mentioned that the family atmosphere Cradock and his coaches created gives him help in many ways in and out of the pool. Gude, Ryan . Welsh, Matt He also broke the America East record in the 100 backstroke. He was one of the universitys most fiercely loyal employees. The attention seemed endless and that was all for just one game. There are no events scheduled. I felt powerless to do anything about it, he told The Sun. One swimmer told investigators that if and when a swimmer made it known they didnt like Cradocks behavior, he would pretend like you were not there and would not coach you, the report said. Chad Cradock, who left his position as the head coach of the UMBC swimming & diving team in December after 19 years, has died. All rights reserved. I am saddened to see sad hurting people, bickering back and forth with other sad hurting people. So why did the swimmer feel powerless? at NJIT Invitational. Students told university officials that Chad Cradock inappropriately touched male swimmers, discriminated against female teammates and mishandled Title IX reports, putting students in dangerous situations, according to documents reviewed by The Baltimore Sun. Swimmers at University of Maryland, Baltimore County were sexually harassed by longtime swim coach Chad Cradock, a university investigation found. He also created a perception, they said, of being close to top school officials. Swimmers also questioned whether the university failed to properly respond to earlier complaints against Cradock. Sorry for those kids and sorry for his family. Harrowing allegations against former University of Maryland - Baltimore County (UMBC) head swim coach Chad Cradock surfaced Monday following his sudden death in March 2021. Courtesy Chandler Swim & Dive. The swimmers and divers work through a long and tough regimen all season to earn those championship banners, something they all take pride in. There are still people to this day in this comment section who are discounting the reports that were made. 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. I understand that there is some energy to do something about it. Lashing out at those who disagree with you about Coach Cradocks legacy is not doing something about it. We went up there to do our job and we did, Cradock said. Men's Swimming and Diving at University of Delaware October 8, 2022 11:00 AM. 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 Mens & Womens Swimming and Diving, a member of the America East conference, aspires to be a nationally recognized Division I program that develops champions in athletics, academics and life, while building community wide traditions and pride. UMBC was established upon the land of the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples. Poulos, Ethan This is very dangerous. Each level offers progressively more training days per week, deeper skills, longer training sessions and longer practice times. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Chads name to a charity of your choice. . The head swim coach of the Somerset Valley (N.J.) YMCA Swim Team, Donovan spent 15 years with the team, overseeing the growth of the program from 46 swimmers to well over 500 participants when he left in 2014. UMBC has won four of the past six America East womens titles and the past four mens titles. The publicity that follows the athletic success of some teams, well, thats for other sports. The UMBC community was still reeling from accusations that their administration covered up sex crimes. For example, Wright wakes up at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and goes to practice from 6 to 8 a.m. from early September through February. 2023 University of Maryland, Baltimore County. It all continues into Saturday, a fact the swimmers understand and accept. In every single semester under Donovan, the Sharks have earned CSCAA Academic Honors. "Their level of achievement in the pool is only heightened by how successful they are in the classroom. Harrowing allegations against former University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) head swim coach Chad Cradock surfaced Monday following his sudden death in March 2021. There were scores of witnesses who were not interviewed. Two Retrievers- senior Caroline Sargent and junior Niklas Weigelt earned America East Swimmer of the Meet honors and freshman Oliver Gassmann was named the meet's Most Outstanding Rookie. What our countries dont have is an independent, safe, unbiased system for athletes to report abuse by coaches. Sullivan, Zach The attention seemed endless and that was all for just one game. Students told university officials that Cradock inappropriately touched male swimmers, discriminated against female members of the team and mishandled Title IX reports, according to the Baltimore Sun. He enjoyed a stellar career from 1993 to 1997, after which he immediately was named assistant coach of his former team. Its fine to argue, but dont invalidate someone elses experience with elementary . UMBC also has a chance for two others to earn spots in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 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. I do not feel sorry for you ifRead more . Elijah Wright , a diver from Baltimore, says the Retriever swimmers and divers put in the foundational hard work to find their success. Chad came to UMBC as a student athlete in 1993 and earned his undergraduate degree in psychology while swimming for the Retrievers. 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. The head swim coach of the Somerset Valley (N.J.) YMCA Swim Team, Donovan spent 15 years with the team, overseeing the growth of the program from 46 swimmers to well . Plus, he lifts weights on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. , who came to UMBC this year from Cyprus (a 30-hour trek to Catonsville), the family spirit shined especially bright around the holidays. 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.  He was then appointed head coach in 2001 and spent 19 years leading the programs.  Chad was best known for his big smiles, jovial laughs, and unconditional love and support to . 20 athletes coming forward isnt fake news. Trias, Niklas The mens team won 10 consecutive conference titles from 2002-2011. The basketball program and school received a deluge of publicity from all around the country after that. , a diver from Baltimore, says the Retriever swimmers and divers put in the foundational hard work to find their success. Miller says that he remembers his swimming days at UMBC where there were just about a dozen swimmers on the team. So, whats the secret to this powerhouse squads success? You made an effort with me and helped me grow up. Both are within range to qualify and will be spending plenty of time this year focusing on that goal. This award is proof of their hard work and we know that we have a lot of others to thank as well. Bennici, Max When a young person becomes a member of the Retriever Aquatic Club, he/she learns the values of sportsmanship and team work. 2) There was an ongoing Title IX investigation into potential wrongdoing. 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 Matt Skalsky Outstanding Scholar-Athlete award as a senior. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. It took a lot of time.. 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. Donovan, who has extensive coaching experience at both the collegiate and club level, spent two seasons as an assistant on both the men's and women's side at the University of Connecticut. To the victim making up FAKE NEWS- STOP; Stop what you are doing right now. Its likely the Justice Department investigation will examine UMBCs response to allegations against Cradock and its investigatory process. Somebody says hey, its OK to have a bad day. Im still [getting better]. He was 47 years old. UMBC was established upon the land of the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples. If that continued at UMBC, Cradock learned from the best. The Gold Club logo identifies Masters clubs and workout groups that provide members with the best Masters Swimming experience possible. In the roughly two hours on Tuesday since UMBC had announced Pete Caringi Jr.'s plan to retire as the school's men's soccer coach on April 1, Caringi's phone had been flooded with more than 50. This man is deserving of praise by the folks who deem him praiseworthy. Dressler, Jimmy Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our latest updates! It is the first ECAC Winter Championship title for Columbia women's swimming. UMBCs Title IX process prioritizes the schools reputation over student safety, Baldwin said, according to The Sun. The firm found that Cradock engaged in sexual harassment and created a hostile environment during his time as coach, violating the universitys discrimination policy. Lets not let our emotions shape our arguments. He was also the head coach of the Retriever Aquatic Club, where his children currently swim. The Sharks just concluded the 2020-21 season and the inaugural men's team took second place overall, while the women finished third (highest in program history). He made the decision for everyone that they wouldnt see their day in court. We know this is an especially difficult time for his family and our swimming and diving community, and we extend our heartfelt condolences. The behavior was classic quid pro quo sexual harassment, investigators wrote, as witnesses said he directed his coaching attention based on whether male swimmers would play along and participate in this unwelcome contact.. Ever sit through criminal trials of swim coaches of your own children? UMBC also has a chance for two others to earn spots in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.