March 19, 2009 USA mnastics I am writing as a parent of a level 8/9 gymnast in Florida regarding Ray Adams, a coach who is certified through USAG. I lieve that this coach is a danger to any young girl whom he is in Contact with. I recently attended a mefl in Which I was shocked and appalled to see this person coaching at another gymnastics Lacility I am sure employment verification was undertaken, but lmfommately our legal system limits the type of information a previous employer can provide again he "slipped through the tracks". I hope you read this letter with the utmost concern and importance that this issue calls fort Let me provide a briefhistory for writing you this letter. About 1 *4 years ago our hired a coach (Ray Adams) that appeared greatly velsed in the sport of gymnastics, however my daughter repeatedly tried to me and her coach of his inappropriate behaviorl As a mother I became quite concerned with this ongoing issue, especially with statements from my daughter such as don't know What's wrong but I have a sick feeling in my stomach when he is around the team", along with siurations that seemed quite inappropriate when pertaining to this male coach. Therefore, I personally did some research I began maldng phone Calls tn this coach's previous of employment where I received horrifying information. I was lead to believe that he was terminated from all previous for "suspicious behaviof' with their team girls. The staff at each provided generalized warnings, such as flour suspicions are on the right track"; however due to legalities as an employer, the information owners would supply was very limited. With many more phone Calls I realized that we had a dangemus individual working with our young girls. Other phone calls included a call to Sharper image (his other part--time job at the time) legal department in Washington where I was told termination "could not be discussed but he was under investigation" with an ofl'ethe-record comment of L'he Careful, he is an evil individual'C Ultimately he was terminated from our gym, however the masons are Confidential 7 but I can assume! I did my homework -- his previous employment is suspicious and questionable as a coach and a person! It disgusts me that this man is allowed to continue being certified through USAG. Gymnastics is a sport that is revered for superior athletes, coaches and professionalism USAG is the governing body that has led to such high standards among a sport. He displayed inappropriate, unprofessional behavior that is tmly not characteristic of the superior nature of gymnastics coaches. In this sport coaches must develop a sense of safety, trust and build self- esteem with their team. He failed to perform any of those above duties and instemi destroyed I ong i. it personal example of my daughter, I Witnessed him providing his personal cell phone number to young girls, posting pictures of 12 and I3 year old girls on his Myspace account (that were definitely questionable in naluze), inviting our young team girls to the beach, and photographs of our team girls in questionable poses Unfortunately due to our legal system everyone is waiting for an amml event or irreversible harm to a young before action is taken. He is a devious individual who threatens law suits and legalities to anyone who questions his .s. sf behavior, therefore he continues to prowl within the gymnastics arena without any consequences. How can three separate facilities all "misunderstand" his behavior? Discovering that he is new coaching at another facility, since being terminated fi'om our facility, is horrifying and creates fear in me for those other gymnasts, as well as file possibility of my daughter being in the same with this man! How is be able to maintain USAG certification and coaching employment with such questionable background? Why is this appropriate? This is personally disgusting and horrifying in my View. 1 am inking that USAG investigate the reasons behind his multiple terminations and questionnhle behavior as a coach and professional in world orndolescent girls. As mother my job is to protect and keep my daughter safe. In reality people avoid summation, fear legal action and think 'Well he is out of our so don't lock the boat!" My conscious will not allow me to turn my back on a potznfial danger to cilia people's daughlers! I strongly feel the: his presence in a gymnastics setting creases an unsafe environment for young girls. both physically and mentally As our governing body, (hm boasts suptmlority among both athletes and coathes, I expect USAG r0 investigate this further and reevaluate Ray Adam's slandings within your associaxjou. Please feel free to Contact me if you have filnher quasfions or concerns. Thank you fur your timer Sincerely, i Velm Sonya Fronsne -- cc: Buckeye Gymnastics C) Cincinnati Gymastics Academy Treasure Coast Gymnastics Twisters Gymnastics. Boca Raton Florida State Chairpelson Sim: Eifwk