In Appleton, WI, law enforcement and youth sports officials have grown annoyed at the current background check process within Legion Sports League, or the lack thereof. Just last month, Michael Clish, head coach for the Appleton Rebels baseball team, was charged with four counts of sex crimes involving a 17 year-old boy. This is not the first time Clish has been faced with such charges. After investigation was conducted by Appleton police Sgt. Mike Nofzinger, it was discovered that Clish was charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child in 1983 as well.

Currently background checks are not required for coaches in the Legion Sports League. Also, because Clish started the Appleton Rebels team on his own, he would not fall under the legion’s purview. This situation brings up the issue of who would parents speak with to complain about such an issue?

Legion Ball is looking to institute a background check policy, but has yet to set a timeline for this process. Being a close community, most people from within the league have been around a long time and know the members of the board personally. As a result, getting support for a background screening policy has proven difficult. However, can a price be put on a child’s safety?

Clish goes to trial on May 18th for the charges.

After recruiting Robert McField, 19, for the 2006-2007 University of Michigan football team, school officials discovered that McField was currently facing charges for two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of armed criminal action. After pleading guilty to those charges, McField was dismissed from the team, having not played a single game.

Mitch Browning, a former recruiter for the Gophers was unaware of the charges. Neither McField or his mother had informed school officials during the recruitment process.

University Officials said they do not normally conduct background checks on potential students or athletes but are reconsidering their stance based on this situation. Clearly, coaches and athletics organizers need to be aware that adult athletes also bring the same amount of liability as coaching staff to the team and should run background checks accordingly.