USA Swimming added a new name to its public list of “Individuals Permanently Suspended or Ineligible” on Friday: that of former Chattahoochee Gold coach Neil Savage.
In April of this year, Savage wrote a letter to the membership of his team that he had a relationship with a “swimmer who was a Senior in High School,” and that he would accept any punishment handed out by USA Swimming. That is indicated by the date of his official ban, on September 9th, and no apparent appeal based on the announcement one month and one day later.
SwimSwam could not find any record of criminal charges in the case. The age of consent in Georgia is 16-years old, and a typical high school senior is at least 16-years old, which supports the lack of criminal charges related to the letter. He was, however, banned under USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct rules against various forms of inappropriate contact between coach members, adult non-athlete members, and athletes.
While Savage’s letter only relates one athlete with whom he claims to have had a relationship, USA Swimming cites rules dating back to 2010 to justify his ban. This is noteworthy because the code rule cited from 2010 and 2011 does not overlap the code rule cited from 2012-2013.
USA Swimming says that “the allegations that came to us regarding Neil Savage were from the years 2010-2012,” but wouldn’t comment beyond that.
The full list of rules under which Savage was banned by USA Swimming is below:
Code of Conduct (2010) – 304.3.5 Any sexual conduct, advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards an athlete by (i) a coach member or other non-athlete member, or (ii) any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such adult is a member or not). Any nonconsensual physical sexual conduct, or pattern of unwelcome advances or other sexual harassment in connection with or incidental to a USA Swimming-related activity by any person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such person is a member or not) directed toward any member or other person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming.
Code of Conduct (2009-2010) 304.3.15 Any other material and intentional act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.
Code of Conduct (2011) 304.3.7 Any sexual conduct, advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards an athlete by (i) a coach member or other non-athlete member, or (ii) any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such adult is a member or not). Any nonconsensual physical sexual conduct, or pattern of unwelcome advances or other sexual harassment in connection with or incidental to a USA Swimming-related activity by any person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such person is a member or not) directed toward any member or other person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming.
Code of Conduct (2011) 304.3.17 Any other material and intentional act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.
Code of Conduct (2012) 304.3.8 Any inappropriate sexual conduct or advance, or other oral, written, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed towards an athlete by (i) a coach member or other non-athlete member, or (ii) any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the activities of USA Swimming (whether such adult is a member or not). Any act of sexual harassment, including without limitation unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in connection with or incidental to a USA Swimming-related activity by any person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such person is a member or not) directed toward any member or other person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming.
Code of Conduct (2012-2013) 304.3.18 Any other material and intentional act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.
Athlete Protection Policies (2011 – ) 305.1 Inappropriate touching between an athlete and an adult non-athlete member or Participating Non-Member (as defined in 401.1) is prohibited, including, but not limited to, excessive touching, hugging, kissing, sexually oriented behavior, sexually stimulating or otherwise inappropriate games, and having an athlete sit on a non-family member adult’s lap.
Was it inappropriate? Yes! Was the girl underage? Not sure. What I do know is that whom ever the young lady is.. Is probably embarrassed that her is parents took so long to file a complaint against a man that was a good coach and well thought of. The swimming world has lost a great coach.
The first girl was17/18, the second girl was 16/17.
BIG difference. Neil admitted affair. Sean denied it. Neil’s affair was with an under age girl. Sean and Arianna were well above legal age. There was no proof of anything going on….at least to our knowledge.
Weirdo, what do you call underage? She was 18 and her parents knew.
GOLDFEVER – was she 18 in 2010, 2011, 2012, or in 2014 when Neil admitted to the relationship? Just curious.
Reminiscent of Sean Hutchinson and Ariana Kukors, but he wasn’t banned. I wonder why?
big difference. Neil admitted his affair. Sean and Arianna denied their affair and there was NO proof of any affair. Neil’s girl was underage and Sean and Arianna were of age even if they did deny it.
Ooh, I remember that comment section was suuuper fun the last time!
I remember this story and the comments on swim swam very well…. It was…heated….