As a result of an investigation published by the Pittsburg Post-Gazette Saturday, the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) is asking its parent, Pennyslvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), to complete background checks on its 13,700 officials beginning in January.
The Post-Gazette’s investigation revealed dozens of past and present officials registered with the PIAA who possess criminal convictions including child molestation, possession of child pornography, gun crimes, drug offenses and more.
According to a statement released on their website in response to the investigation, the PIAA has taken other measures rather than conducting background checks to insure the safety of the children involved in their sporting events. Aside from requiring sports officials to reveal prior criminal convictions on their applications, they also rely on other people in the organization to let them know who has been charged and convicted, or pled guilty to crimes. They also have adopted policies to prevent unsupervised contact between students and sports officials.
The PIAA also cites the cost of doing background checks as a major factor to why they have not enacted the policy thus far. They fear losing officials if they must raise the price of dues. Dues average around $40.00 per official and they anticipate the background checks to cost $50.00, thus doubling the price for their officials. The PIAA claims they could not afford paying for the background checks on their own.
Additionally, the PIAA’s statement included the following:
“To summarize, this issue is one that has been debated by PIAA for several years now. While criminal background checks may be a “feel good” means of taking some action to protect student-athletes, it is not the only, and is certainly not even the best, means available to provide protection. PIAA has taken a different approach, but with (so far) very good results. Perhaps, though, after further assessment of benefits and costs ofdoing so, we will also require criminal background checks. Stay tuned for future developments.”
One hopes that they will see the benefits to conducting background checks outweigh any costs involved when it comes to the welfare of our children.
Okay, all it’s going to take is one kid who is endangered by one official and a $50.00 background check will look REALLY inexpensive compared to the fines and monetary damages racked up from a lawsuit.
And really??? Relying on people to disclose their own criminal records is good enough?? (Because in this day and age, we’ve learned so well that people don’t lie.)
I agree with anony, just spend the money already. Safety first!
Parents read: “Your kid’s safety isn’t worth $50 bucks.”
Organizers read: “Our system goes bankrupt if we have to foot that bill.”
Volunteers read: “$50 would buy my groceries this week.”
I read: Is there no happy medium wherein we can balance safety and prudence?
Wow! When something happens to one of the children and the parents sue. I bet the cost of a $50 background check looks a lot better than a payout of possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I agree with all comments, run a check, save lives and money.
Well shucks, he said he wasn’t a pedophile… how could we have known?
I think that more leagues would follow this and do background checks on their coaches. I was a coach for 5th grade basketball and they didn’t do one on me.
Parents read: “Your kid’s safety isn’t worth $50 bucks.”
Organizers read: “Our system goes bankrupt if we have to foot that bill.”
Volunteers read: “$50 would buy my groceries this week.”
I read: Is there no happy medium wherein we can balance safety and prudence?
Well shucks, he said he wasn’t a pedophile… how could we have known?
Parents read: “Your kid’s safety isn’t worth $50 bucks.”
Organizers read: “Our system goes bankrupt if we have to foot that bill.”
Volunteers read: “$50 would buy my groceries this week.”
I read: Is there no happy medium wherein we can balance safety and prudence?
Parents read: “Your kid’s safety isn’t worth $50 bucks.”
Organizers read: “Our system goes bankrupt if we have to foot that bill.”
Volunteers read: “$50 would buy my groceries this week.”
I read: Is there no happy medium wherein we can balance safety and prudence?
I think that more leagues would follow this and do background checks on their coaches. I was a coach for 5th grade basketball and they didn’t do one on me.
Well shucks, he said he wasn’t a pedophile… how could we have known?
Parents read: “Your kid’s safety isn’t worth $50 bucks.”
Organizers read: “Our system goes bankrupt if we have to foot that bill.”
Volunteers read: “$50 would buy my groceries this week.”
I read: Is there no happy medium wherein we can balance safety and prudence?
Well shucks, he said he wasn’t a pedophile… how could we have known?
Parents read: “Your kid’s safety isn’t worth $50 bucks.”
Organizers read: “Our system goes bankrupt if we have to foot that bill.”
Volunteers read: “$50 would buy my groceries this week.”
I read: Is there no happy medium wherein we can balance safety and prudence?