Ben Sheppard, a former coach of the Oakland Undercurrents and USA Swimming diversity consultant, has received a permanent ban from USA Swimming.
The story involves multiple current and former female swimmers of his coming forward about inappropriate remarks made by Sheppard toward them (read more details about the accusations here). The ban specifically cites sections 304.3.7 and 304.3.17 of the 2011 USA Swimming Code of Conduct, which read as follows:
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.
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.
USA Swimming fired Sheppard in the fall of 2011, and the National Board of Review (NBOR) initially suspended his membership for 5 years. USA Swimming appealed to the NBOR, requesting a permanent ban, which resulted in an appeal panel (five members of the Board of Directors of USA Swimming) levying a permanent ban.
USA Swimming has permanently suspended former member coach Benjamin Sheppard for violations of Sections 304.3.7 and 304.3.17 of the 2011 USA Swimming Code of Conduct and has added his name to the public list of Individuals Permanently Suspended or Ineligible.
In November 2012, the National Board of Review convened a hearing which resulted in a five-year suspension of Mr. Sheppard’s USA Swimming membership. USA Swimming appealed the National Board of Review’s decision and requested Mr. Sheppard be permanently expelled from the organization. Following the appeal process, the appeal panel—made up of five members of USA Swimming’s Board of Directors—permanently suspended Mr. Sheppard’s membership and ordered his name be added to the public list of individuals suspended for life from USA Swimming.
What a pervert!