He then received a notice of investigation from UMBC on Dec. 24, 2020, and an amended version with two additional swimmers allegations on March 3, 2021, according to the Sun. She cited the ongoing federal investigation, saying comment at this time would not be appropriate.. So, whats the secret to this powerhouse squads success? Retriever Activities Center 1000 Hilltop Cir, Baltimore, MD 21250. In every single semester under Donovan, the Sharks have earned CSCAA Academic Honors. In the roughly year and a half since, the investigation has continued as student-athletes have grieved and grappled with Cradocks death and misconduct. 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. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. It is the first ECAC Winter Championship title for Columbia women's swimming. In his two seasons with the Huskies, he coached 37 All-Conference honorees, saw the team finish second at the American Athletic Conference Championships in 2015, and win both the 2015 and 2016 Copa Coqui Invitational in Puerto Rico. 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. 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. 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. And family membership doesnt end at graduation. The UMBC mens basketball team shocked many and generated a huge amount of publicity when they beat Virginia 74-54 in the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament in March 2018. Our mission is to teach athletes transferablelife skills through the sport of diving. 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. 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. These athletes are scared. Nikola Trajkovic Coach Nik comes to Meadowbrook from UMBC where he swam on the men's swim team, and coached for three years afterwards. No one needs to hear each others opinions. The publicity that follows the athletic success of some teams, well, thats for other sports. In the men's championship, UMBC scored 3,075.5 points to beat Long Island University by 1896 points. We provide you four massive print issues designed to sit on your coffee table like a piece of artwork. More info here: https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/more-women-come-forward-amid-umbc-baltimore-county-cover-up-allegations/. He was 47 years old. Rest In Peace Chad. Laracuente, Anders Employees can access support through the. The Retriever swimming and diving teams have dominated America East Conference competition since joining the league in 2003. This is about swimming.. He took over the mens program as well when the university added the sport in the spring of 2020. So sad that a man who was so loyal to UMBC was shown no compassion. They said they were confused by shifting points of contact and a change in how Cradocks actions were being examined. When a swimmer is goodreally goodthe sound of their stroke is smooth and quiet. That swimmers attorney, Naomi Shatz of Zalkind Duncan & Bernstein, said her clients college experience was destroyed by Coach Cradock.. As this is an open matter, Winnick wrote, it would not be appropriate for the University to provide additional details.. Our thoughts and hearts go out to Christie, Amanda, Geoffrey, and CJ. I was a shy young girl who couldnt keep eye contact. Its interesting and sad to watch criminal lawyers tear apart testimonies of young children who claim to have been violated. The only fake news is you knowing what youre taking about. 2023 Swim Swam Partners, LLC. There are now more than five times that many, but Cradock has worked to keep the big group close, as he believes that helps with the overall success of the teams. Courtesy Chandler Swim & Dive. Head Swim Coach 2670 ccrado1@gl.umbc.edu: Vic Corbin: Head Diving Coach 3173 retrievers@umbc.edu: Mary Anne Gerzanick Asst. Good people can do bad things. This weekend was unbelievable, every day exceeded my expectations, says Moro. 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. Per the report, Chen had arranged to meet with a . A lot of this was big time rumor mill kind of stuff, explained Dillon. Your statements are inappropriate, hateful and heartless. Until that changes, no amount of procedural reform will make a difference.. 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 . 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. Chad came to UMBC as a student athlete in 1993 and earned his undergraduate degree in psychology while swimming for the Retrievers. Its unclear whether its related to the swim team. In his 13th season at UMBC, swimming coach Sid Burkot might have finally had his ship come in. UMBC was established upon the land of the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples. 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. Within minutes, police responded to the call and determined that no threat had been made. It takes a lot for someone to step forward. There were dozens and dozens of teammates who corroborated stories and were interviewed even though they were not part of the 6 named. Great people can do questionable things, Horrific people can as well do life changing amazing things. Seems like they cant come to grips that the man they knew and loved could be so horrific to others despite evidence being proven. Others disagree. There are multiple witnesses of a few specific swimmers asking alumni and teammates to lie about Cradock leading up to this lawsuit. 2023 Swim Swam Partners, LLC. 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. The firm has billed UMBC $328,992 since January 2021 for its services on this investigation, according to the school. Chad can be friendly and warm while doing these horrible things. Murray, Bode 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 . Nobody said that they were going to come to campus to commit a violent act, said Chief of Police Paul Dillon. We know this is an especially difficult time for his family and our swimming and diving community, and we extend our heartfelt condolences. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Theres a logical fallacy happening here a lot in the comments. Moro is trying to represent Egypt there while senior mechanical engineering major and Meyerhoff Scholar. 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. 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. Somebody says hey, its OK to have a bad day. Im still [getting better]. The mens team won 10 consecutive conference titles from 2002-2011. Even though they werent on the team when some of this misconduct occurred? I am not sure exactly what happened so I can only speak on my experience. In 2001 he became the second head coach of the program, winning nine consecutive conference championships, including seven straight . Men's Swimming and Diving. These personal touches help draw the swimmers closer as a group. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Chad G. Cradock. So, even if the university did have a Title IX office, students may have had reason not to trust them. 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. Weigelt, Christopher [UMBC was] the big story last year.. Both are within range to qualify and will be spending plenty of time this year focusing on that goal. The firm found that Cradock engaged in sexual harassment and created a hostile environment during his time as coach, violating the universitys discrimination policy. Attorney Rignal Baldwin V represents five of the six swimmers named in the report as those whose complaints prompted the investigation. We know this is an especially difficult time for his family and our swimming and diving community, and we extend our heartfelt condolences. Nicusan, Zacharias We treat them the way we would want our kids to be treated wherever they went.. This award is proof of their hard work and we know that we have a lot of others to thank as well. Humans are imperfect creatures by nature, capable of making great accomplishments and great mistakes alike. LIU held a 51-point lead over Monmouth entering Sunday . 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. Cradock, who has three children of his own, certainly understands the parents feelings when they turn their swimmers over to him for four years. 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). 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. He worked under United States Olympic coaches Dr. David Salo and Catherine Vogt and helped prepare the Chinese National Team for the 2018 Asian Championships. I do not feel sorry for you ifRead more . View Full Bio, Tiago Tobin, Yassin Nigro comes to Baltimore from. Moro broke the school record in the 1650 freestyle and won a gold medal in that event. 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. 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. Winnick, UMBCs spokeswoman, declined to comment on the investigations duration or its shift from a Title IX policy investigation to one considering discrimination policy violations. Building a solid environment to compete, thats for this program, and its why theyve been so successful. So just to clear things up certain alumni commenting on this post are claiming that nothing ever happened just because it didnt happen to them? Davenport, Jeff To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chad G. Cradock please visit our,

On Sunday, March 7, 2021, Chad G. Cradock of Odenton passed away. 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.. Chad Cradock, who left his position as the head coach of the UMBC swimming & diving team in December after 19 years, has died. 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. 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. Gentle ripples of movement belie the engine propelling it powerfully beneath the surface. The team may have been presented with this award but everyone here at UMBC deserves a portion of it as well". The student-athletes are wonderful representatives of the university and the alumni stay very connected. I just told everyone to go home and take the day off.. How do you know there is a 7 page doc? Visit umbc.edu/swimming for a first-hand look at what it took to do our DIY underwater photo shoot. He was just the second head coach in program history, serving in that role from 2001 to late 2020. Are you part of the investigation team? We humbly offer our respects to all past, present, and future Indigenous people connected to this place. Oana Brooks, Cradocks attorney, declined to comment but raised concerns about the investigation continuing after Cradocks death. All rights reserved. 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. Investigators also found that Cradock created a hostile environment based on sex within the team, alleging his failure to report things such as sexual misconduct, assault, stalking or relationship violence. The UMBC mens and womens swimming and diving programs have won plenty in their own righteven if most people dont realize it. It was a moment in the sun on their own campus, one that doesnt happen often with this sport. If Coach Cradock was not allowed to do what he wanted to you, according to a summary of the swimmers interview in the report, he wasnt going to coach you.. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy | FTC Disclaimer 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. I understand that there is anger surrounding this death. What? After the 2015-2016 season, Cradock was named the CCSA Coach of the Year, and after the 2017-2018 season Cradock and his staff were named Coaching Staff of the Year in both seasons. Rather than reporting it immediately, the report said, Cradock let it fester for months and tried to mediate the matter himself., The female swimmer who was the target of that behavior, who The Sun is not naming because she said she was sexually assaulted by the other swimmer, said Cradock told her if she made a report to other university officials, she would make it so much worse for yourself and the rest of the team.. A private Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date. Its likely the Justice Department investigation will examine UMBCs response to allegations against Cradock and its investigatory process. I mean, universities have entire bureaucracies committed just to investigating things like this. Gliese is a two-time captain at UMBC and the Danish national record holder in the 200-meter backstroke. There is no additional information to display: , a diver from Baltimore, says the Retriever swimmers and divers put in the foundational hard work to find their success. Why? 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 those whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Chad’s name to a charity of your choice. A private Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date. 

. Haniawho has fallen in love with bagels while at UMBC and wants to open a bagel store when she goes back to her home countryjust set the school record in the 1650 free at the America East 2018 title meet. 2023 University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Henrickson, Samuel Within minutes, police responded to the call and determined that no threat had been made. Unfortunately being forced to defend him against unfounded accusations. In interviews, students described feeling left in the dark for much of the lengthy investigation on behalf of the university. They were honored during a media timeout of a basketball game at the UMBC Event Center and received a large ovation from the crowd that night, something that the swimmers just loved. This is about swimming.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Americans are always making things out to be black or white, that someone is either bad or good, wrong or right. And those of you who say you are defending the truth. Its a culture all its own. Get all the top news and sports from the baltimoresun.com. That our institutions both neglect athletes and turn their back on their coaches is despicable. Growing up at UMBC, so to speak, the team has become a second family for Cradock. UMBC Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving UMBC Men's & Women's 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. The attention seemed endless and that was all for just one game. During that time you taught me to be a better team mate, friend and student. They are also spending time together in the pool and staying connected as a team. UMBC swimmers told The Sun that Justice Department civil rights investigators asked about the universitys communication during the investigation and any accommodations they were provided. 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. Super interested in those details. I spent four years swimming with you. It took a lot of time.. . Cradock reportedly touched numerous male swimmers in their genitals, investigators found, with witnesses and victims describing a pattern in which he would ask the swimmers to touch his shoulder or take their temperature for COVID protocols and use his other arm to assault them. The women's squad has captured four of the past seventitles, including a resounding victory in 2019. Men's Swimming and Diving at University of Delaware October 8, 2022 11:00 AM. Former UMBC coach Chad Cradock has died, the team was told in a meeting on Sunday evening. He also created a perception, they said, of being close to top school officials. Miller says that he remembers his swimming days at UMBC where there were just about a dozen swimmers on the team. Its not seen as popular of a sport, and thats the way America looks at it, Cradock says. The theme this year was Love It, Live It, Enjoy It, and we did just that.. Riser, Dom Dwyer, Oliver Nikola Trajkovic Coach Nik comes to Meadowbrook from UMBC where he swam on the men's swim team, and coached for three years afterwards. Comments unavailable on mobile. Everybodys had such a hard week, said Barrio, referring to the recent death of retired swim and dive coach Chad Cradock and the impact it has had on the swim and dive team and the broader Athletics community. What keeps them coming to the pool again and again? The exact scope of the Justice Departments investigation into UMBC is unclear, as are potential consequences for any wrongdoing identified. 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. All of Retriever Nation should be extremely proud of this model program.. 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. 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.. 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