Lee Arthur Chavis, a Hillsbourgh County youth football coach, employed by the Temple Terrace Youth Sports Association, was arrested on December 21. He is being accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14 year old girl he met through a phone chat service and is being charged with lewd and lascivious molestation.

The girl’s mother stated that Chavis had lied to her daughter, claiming he was only 16. Chavis, on the other hand, refuted the accusations stating, “I met her one time – in a public library, in broad daylight.” He said the girl had claimed to be 21.

After a criminal background search came back showing he had seven arrests already on his record, Chavis was initially denied the coaching position two years ago. He then pleaded his case to an appeals committee and the Association decided to give him give him the job.

The seven arrests occurred in the State of Florida and include aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, grand theft, and traffic offenses. However, he was never convicted on any of these charges.

In response to this incident, the County is currently changing its policy on background checks. County staff will now be the ones responsible for making the final hiring decision on coaches.

In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a local youth football coach was recently arrested on drug charges. The coach, Darryle Tyrone Gregory, was pulled over in his vehicle on December 17, 2006 due to heavily tinted windows. Later on, a search of his car revealed the presence of 5.2 grams of marijuana and 28.7 grams of cocaine according to investigators.

Gregory, who was employed by Pop Warner Football, the nations largest youth football organization, ended up being charged with two counts of drug trafficking, one count of possession to sell and deliver cocaine, and one count of possession of marijuana. He was the head coach for the Mitey Mites team.

A background check had been completed on Gregory and two prior drug arrests had shown up on his record. The policy of Pop Warner Football states that it is up to each team’s executive board to review the background check and decide whether or not the person is fit to coach. In the case of Gregory, the board decided he was. A more in depth criminal record search on Gregory revealed that he had charges dating back to 1995 and included an assault on a female, possession of marijuana and cocaine, and resisting an officer.

Now, many local parents are outraged and speaking out on the validity of the background checks on coaches. Local coach, David Thompson questions the process stating, “I do think action should be taken…I think we should review background checks–what’s acceptable and what’s not?”

In recent news, both the National Governing Bodies for track and field (USATF), and swimming (USA Swimming) will implement policies requiring background checks for coaches for the 2007 membership year. They recognize that in order to promote a safe and supportive athletic environment background searches need to be completed on all coaches. All current as well as potential coaches will be screened, which for USA Swimming alone will allot to over 10,000 background checks.

Being role models to the youth service industry, both these organizations are showing the importance of performing background screening on staff and volunteers. Hopefully with their pro-active approach, background checks will become more of a common practice among sports organizations.