Our former track head coach had to resign and got fired a few weeks later this year, because he was asking girls very personal questions. He was also our head XC coach, and he got a puppy and he probably was texting girls about that too. He had no boundaries
I don't find it weird that your kid is texting the coach- kids will seek out advice and affirmation from non parents- but I find it disturbing that the coach is texting your daughter. The coach is either immature, knows no boundaries or at worse, let's not go there.
My coach used a messaging service that we signed up for w/ our school email. I think we'd use our school email to receive texts, but it also went to your phone. This worked well and obviously everything is accountable as it's the school email
Made me think of it immediately
Nrvous wrote:
I know that my daughter is merely taking her training seriously, as she really has an eye on states and breaking school records, but she spends an awful amount of time texting with her coach. Sometimes they are up texting each other late at night. I’ve witnessed her taking videos of certain exercises and I know they’re really working on fine-tuning her workouts, but I’m just not sure about the whole late-night-texting thing. As I said, I know the sport is rather involving, so I’m probably just being weird. Anyway, do you all have any thoughts on this?
This is beyond weird...like alarming.
If this is real and there's anything not about running, this should be stopped. If it's just about running it's not great but is probably innocuous (just person bad with boundaries or ignorant), but the times also matter - a 12AM text is far different than a 8PM text the day or two before a race that's like "hey, you already know this, but we have a big meet Saturday. make sure to get good sleep tonight and tomorrow"
I find it alarming that the coach thinks it’s ok to do this. This is beyond creepy. There is no reason why she can’t have that discussion at practice. the ONLY excuse for texting at night is if it’s the day before a meet and you tell him you’re not feeling well.
OP
I was a track & XC coach of a prep school for 12 years. It was before smartphones. But once, and only once did a student/athlete ever contact me late at night. I kindly informed her that although she might think it was improtant, it is not appropriate. I always stressed perception.
A coach out in Texas said it was cool and normal.
More red flags than Bernie Sanders' campaign HQ.
In this day an age at the high school level, coaches and athletes should not have each other's cell phone numbers or be involved on any social media that allows private messaging (for our sport, Strava should be fine because there is no private messaging, but the coach should clear this with their AD, school district, and/or school board first).
Many districts approve the use of something like the Remind app for quick and easy communication between coaches and athletes that keeps personal cell numbers hidden, and all messages are easily viewable by the district. This goes a long way towards keeping things appropriate because there is so much transparency.
9/10
We used Remond as well
*Remind
Broo... come on. lol. Youre her father, what is your gut telling you?
Nrvous wrote:
I know that my daughter is merely taking her training seriously, as she really has an eye on states and breaking school records, but she spends an awful amount of time texting with her coach. Sometimes they are up texting each other late at night. I’ve witnessed her taking videos of certain exercises and I know they’re really working on fine-tuning her workouts, but I’m just not sure about the whole late-night-texting thing. As I said, I know the sport is rather involving, so I’m probably just being weird. Anyway, do you all have any thoughts on this?
Not normal.
Letsrun MB community is a strange bunch.
Nrvous wrote:
I know that my daughter is merely taking her training seriously, as she really has an eye on states and breaking school records, but she spends an awful amount of time texting with her coach. Sometimes they are up texting each other late at night. I’ve witnessed her taking videos of certain exercises and I know they’re really working on fine-tuning her workouts, but I’m just not sure about the whole late-night-texting thing. As I said, I know the sport is rather involving, so I’m probably just being weird. Anyway, do you all have any thoughts on this?
Assuming the daughter is in HS or under 18, this is a clear violation of SafeSport principles and I bet HS policies. In short, there should never be communication only between the two. Another adult (parent) should be included on the texts or it should be public in some way just as you would not meet with a minor behind closed doors.
You need to share this information with the school or club and even to SafeSport. Even if there is nothing untoward going on, it needs to stop.
There is this thing called grooming. Regardless, it violates best practices.
Brooklyndan wrote:
I worked with a HS coach who lost his job over a sexual allegation. After this incident I told my team to text the captains if they had any questions and limit texts to me unless it was an absolute emergency.
That is extreme. For one thing there are lots of apps that allow for communication that is public. For instance, "Hey coach I am going to be late for practice." can be sent to a slack channel that everyone sees.
Heck even just copying another adult. I work for a sports org and one of our staff has to communicate with minors regularly. I am copied on all of those emails to meet SafeSport recommendations if the email is to an individual and not to a group.