Something is amiss in the state of Guelph track, the most successful university team in Canada for about 15 years. A team that has produced Olympic and World Champs level athletes such as Reid Coolsaet, Eric Gills, Genevieve Lalonde, Antony Romaniw, and Rachel Cliff (just to name a few) is reeling. But no one is talking.
Meanwhile word is that several threads on Trackie.ca (Canada's track insider website ) have been taken down when the questions I ask below have been posted. So why the silence?
Here's what is floating around, much of it substantiated:
-Dave Scott Thomas, Head Coach for 20 years ( and arguably the most successful distance coach in Canadian history) has been shown the door. "On Leave" is what has been stated. But word is that things are worse than reported. This is both sad, and almost unbelievable after so many successes.
-There is an "investigation" by the university and the Canadian Coaches Association into the behavior of DST. Some have suggested he (on behalf of the program) has acted aggressively and created an ugly environment for many athletes.
-Because Guelph has federal government Athletics Canada (AC) money, AC now must undergo its own investigation. Again, no one is talking.
-Many recruits , who were leaning towards Guelph, but who picked other schools were not only shunned from any relationship with the program (if they had one at the club level). Several were verbally berated. At least 3 recruits have substantiated this. Another athlete who left the XC program after great success, has reportedly been ostracized.
-One already qualified female Olympian has left the program. Going into an Olympic year the uncertainty was too much. This was substantiated by a coach across the country who is aware of the situation.
-Another Olympic level athlete has also just bolted, whereabouts unknown.
-And at least one other national-class athlete is weighing her options.
This really sucks for Dave and such a great program. ( Worse is that supposedly the guy is also dealing with a sick parent, and his marriage is the rocks).
But what is the real story? Why the secrecy? Insights anyone?