Ventura Coach Accused of Inappropriate Acts

Fact said:
I generally agree with you but don't you think you are being a little hard in this case? He or she might have approached the issue wrong by using a victim to further her argument, but it is a valid argument that the Eagles often look the other way.
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That's not been my experience...
She's made her point again and again. The fact is, others have had great experiences with the Eagles.
I know folks that have felt they had poor experiences with other clubs, they changed clubs and moved on....
Changing clubs for some is a yearly tradition, looking for the coach that recognizes that their little Suzy is the most talented child to ever set foot on the pitch.
 
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smellycleats said:
My purpose in posting my family’s experience at Eagles is not to settle a score. It was to show that there is a pattern of behavior on the part of some coaches and leadership there. In our case, when it came time for Eagles to make a choice to protect young players or to protect their assets they chose protecting their own interests. It wasn't about sexual abuse but it was an example of how the club looked the other way on reprehensible behavior on the part of one of their parents in order to protect themselves -THE ADULTS. The guy who came after my daughter has a history of trouble at Eagles. There have been other complaints against him. His daughter is also a standout player. Neither the coach nor the club wanted to lose her. If they had chosen to limit his field access or some other punitive measure, he would have likely taken her and left. This was the choice they had to make to protect my daughter and others from a volatile bully-a guy that picks on 7 year olds. And I was pretty naive. This was our first club experience. Both of my daughters had the same coach and I thought he was a pretty standup guy. When all of this went down I actually thought that the club was going to handle it. I had faith in them. This is why I post repeatedly on the subject and why I won't shut up. I'm sure there are other parents out there who might have misplaced faith in their club

When I heard about VT I was devastated for the girl and her family, as well as for my own daughters who had to hear about it. Based on my own experience with this club though, I was not surprised.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalization_(psychology)

In psychology and logic, rationalization or rationalisation (also known as making excuses[1]) is a defense mechanism in which controversial behaviors or feelings are justified and explained in a seemingly rational or logical manner to avoid the true explanation, and are made consciously tolerable—or even admirable and superior—by plausible means.[2] It is also an informal fallacy of reasoning.[3]
 
smellycleats said:
My purpose in posting my family’s experience at Eagles is not to settle a score. It was to show that there is a pattern of behavior on the part of some coaches and leadership there. In our case, when it came time for Eagles to make a choice to protect young players or to protect their assets they chose protecting their own interests. It wasn't about sexual abuse but it was an example of how the club looked the other way on reprehensible behavior on the part of one of their parents in order to protect themselves -THE ADULTS. The guy who came after my daughter has a history of trouble at Eagles. There have been other complaints against him. His daughter is also a standout player. Neither the coach nor the club wanted to lose her. If they had chosen to limit his field access or some other punitive measure, he would have likely taken her and left. This was the choice they had to make to protect my daughter and others from a volatile bully-a guy that picks on 7 year olds. And I was pretty naive. This was our first club experience. Both of my daughters had the same coach and I thought he was a pretty standup guy. When all of this went down I actually thought that the club was going to handle it. I had faith in them. This is why I post repeatedly on the subject and why I won't shut up. I'm sure there are other parents out there who might have misplaced faith in their club

When I heard about VT I was devastated for the girl and her family, as well as for my own daughters who had to hear about it. Based on my own experience with this club though, I was not surprised.
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Ok so you left because of this troublemaking Dad. Did the team fall apart and/or did more players leave because of him or is the team still together and is he still on it? I ask because I do know that some adults react and say something or do something brash but it doesn't typically make us leave a team because of it. Quite possibly you should have gotten over the blow up and helped your daughter understand that adults make mistakes too. To kick his daughter out of the club is a little harsh on the child. She did nothing wrong. I am not sure his crazy outburst was worth a lifetime ban from the team. Did the club speak with him? Or just blow it off? Just asking...
 
DD was once on a team where one of the dad's felt he was able to say negative comments to the players during the course of the game. Everybody including the DOC and myself told him he needed to STFU. He toned it down, but still couldn't contain himself at times. I told DD that if he ever said anything negative to her, she was allowed to say "STFU Eugene!". Since she is a much better person than I am, she never did, but I would have stood by her.
 
Coke bottle eyes said:
Ok so you left because of this troublemaking Dad. Did the team fall apart and/or did more players leave because of him or is the team still together and is he still on it? I ask because I do know that some adults react and say something or do something brash but it doesn't typically make us leave a team because of it. Quite possibly you should have gotten over the blow up and helped your daughter understand that adults make mistakes too. To kick his daughter out of the club is a little harsh on the child. She did nothing wrong. I am not sure his crazy outburst was worth a lifetime ban from the team. Did the club speak with him? Or just blow it off? Just asking...
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Well make up your mind...do you want me to shut up or do you want me to talk about it?
Look, of course there was more to it. Wasn’t just one minor blow up and I never asked that the player be banned from the club. She’s a sweet kid and a very special player. If she weren’t, he wouldn’t be allowed to get away with this stuff.
 
Let's face it. All clubs are guilty of blowing off complaining parents and nominal issues during the year because the bitching never stops. I get it.

I don't have a player with the eagle's but from what I've been told is if your players an asset to the club you will never be ignored and there's always an open line of communication via email or phone to all the directors unless you compleatly step out of line and burn your bridge.

My issue with the eagle's is the pattern snellycleatss is talking about. Too many major issues being delt with internally to keep a winning cultre / club / coaches intact. The bussiness first approach is a very dangerous game for youth sports because the bigger issues get overlooked.
 
Chalklines said:
Let's face it. All clubs are guilty of blowing off complaining parents and nominal issues during the year because the bitching never stops. I get it.

I don't have a player with the eagle's but from what I've been told is if your players an asset to the club you will never be ignored and there's always an open line of communication via email or phone to all the directors unless you compleatly step out of line and burn your bridge.

My issue with the eagle's is the pattern snellycleatss is talking about. Too many major issues being delt with internally to keep a winning cultre / club / coaches intact. The bussiness first approach is a very dangerous game for youth sports because the bigger issues get overlooked.
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Chalklines.... what are you basing your comments on?
Innuendo, speculation, rumor or from what you've been told by whom?
I'm aware of no club, anywhere, that doesn't deal with issues internally, are you?
Club soccer is big business, to think otherwise is simply wishful.
Because it's big business, issues can't be overlooked.
 
Lion Eyes said:
Chalklines.... what are you basing your comments on?
Innuendo, speculation, rumor or from what you've been told by whom?
I'm aware of no club, anywhere, that doesn't deal with issues internally, are you?
Club soccer is big business, to think otherwise is simply wishful.
Because it's big business, issues can't be overlooked.
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Im new to the area and new to this state. I've been in So Cal for about a year now and now have had two opportunities to shop different clubs for my kids.

Im basing my comments on this:

In a years time you hear quite a bit from parents removed and parents directly involved. Some from the past some from the present. Camarillo is a very small soccer town so people talk. You mention club soccer the Eagles come up. They have a strong hold on the area and they know it. Everything from talent to facilities they have it so its almost every local parents first stop searching for a club if your serious about soccer and dont want to drive for something comparable.

I must say ive met quite a few great individuals who would absolutely take a bullet for the club. Lots of positive but its the negative narrative that steered me away. It was all the same. If as a parent you question training methods or any game time decisions whether in the moment or confidentially with the coach or admin you will fall out of the clubs graces faster then you can believe. (and I get thats normal for SOME high level clubs) Now the kicker was from the handful of pissed off individuals I spoke with. All similar situations with almost similar results escalating in DOC's getting involved and being ignored on following up. All felt that speaking up translated into heavy consequences for their players on game day. (Smellycleats story here sounded wayyy to similar except he didnt mention if his player was punished on the field?)

I see that as a pattern especially coming from individuals all at different age levels who have played with or have dealt with the coach and specific director involved in each complaint. One cant help to wonder how the VT situation was handled "internally" if indeed a parent or player(s) came forward at that time. The VT situation was the nail in the coffin for our family making a decision to play for the Eagles at this point in time. Until the dust settles over this you really dont know who to believe. Once the criminal trial is put to bed the opportunity for the victim comes to take civil action. Will she go after VT or throw a curve going after the club? I think this will be the main tell of what really happend and quite a few family's soccer lifes will be changed for better or worse.

God for bid if some coach did something criminal to my kids I would want to feel 100% confident that things would be handled properly by a club and a coaches resume and contacts would never be placed greater then my child's safety. Just like other posters before me I have a hard time believing with the clubs open door policy they did not have knowledge of this for the last 10 years..........and yes, I hope im wrong.
 
outside! said:
DD was once on a team where one of the dad's felt he was able to say negative comments to the players during the course of the game. Everybody including the DOC and myself told him he needed to STFU. He toned it down, but still couldn't contain himself at times. I told DD that if he ever said anything negative to her, she was allowed to say "STFU Eugene!". Since she is a much better person than I am, she never did, but I would have stood by her.
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That's great that you had the support of the club. That makes a huge difference. But in Smelly's case a grown man had an outburst of that should have subsided once the game was over. But it appears that the jerk and the club demanded multiple times that a 7 year old apologize for accidentally hitting him with the ball during the game. That is warped but makes sense given the guy.
 
Chalklines said:
Im new to the area and new to this state. I've been in So Cal for about a year now and now have had two opportunities to shop different clubs for my kids.

Im basing my comments on this:

In a years time you hear quite a bit from parents removed and parents directly involved. Some from the past some from the present. Camarillo is a very small soccer town so people talk. You mention club soccer the Eagles come up. They have a strong hold on the area and they know it. Everything from talent to facilities they have it so its almost every local parents first stop searching for a club if your serious about soccer and dont want to drive for something comparable.

I must say ive met quite a few great individuals who would absolutely take a bullet for the club. Lots of positive but its the negative narrative that steered me away. It was all the same. If as a parent you question training methods or any game time decisions whether in the moment or confidentially with the coach or admin you will fall out of the clubs graces faster then you can believe. (and I get thats normal for SOME high level clubs) Now the kicker was from the handful of pissed off individuals I spoke with. All similar situations with almost similar results escalating in DOC's getting involved and being ignored on following up. All felt that speaking up translated into heavy consequences for their players on game day. (Smellycleats story here sounded wayyy to similar except he didnt mention if his player was punished on the field?)

I see that as a pattern especially coming from individuals all at different age levels who have played with or have dealt with the coach and specific director involved in each complaint. One cant help to wonder how the VT situation was handled "internally" if indeed a parent or player(s) came forward at that time. The VT situation was the nail in the coffin for our family making a decision to play for the Eagles at this point in time. Until the dust settles over this you really dont know who to believe. Once the criminal trial is put to bed the opportunity for the victim comes to take civil action. Will she go after VT or throw a curve going after the club? I think this will be the main tell of what really happend and quite a few family's soccer lifes will be changed for better or worse.

God for bid if some coach did something criminal to my kids I would want to feel 100% confident that things would be handled properly by a club and a coaches resume and contacts would never be placed greater then my child's safety. Just like other posters before me I have a hard time believing with the clubs open door policy they did not have knowledge of this for the last 10 years..........and yes, I hope im wrong.
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Both my dd's played for the Eagles...this thing came out of no where and hurt many people...
This was so far from imaginable that it still makes me sick knowing it happened.
For those who know nothing about this to say it had to have been a known. You're WRONG.
I take offense to that. If any rumblings or talk about this had come to my attention...my dd would have been gone in a heart beat.
To know VT and to know this happened is beyond belief...
I trust the Eagle leadership and the coaching staff....
 
Lion Eyes said:
Both my dd's played for the Eagles...this thing came out of no where and hurt many people...
This was so far from imaginable that it still makes me sick knowing it happened.
For those who know nothing about this to say it had to have been a known. You're WRONG.
I take offense to that. If any rumblings or talk about this had come to my attention...my dd would have been gone in a heart beat.
To know VT and to know this happened is beyond belief...
I trust the Eagle leadership and the coaching staff....
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I am not trying to act like Espola but ... if you trust the Eagle leadership why would you have been gone in a heart beat if you heard any rumblings? If you trusted them, wouldn't you trust them to take immediate action and thus stay?

Also just because you did not know does not mean that others did not know. I am not saying that they knew, but it is possible. When I was in high school I kept asking a girl out, she was gorgeous but never seemed to be dating anyone. She turned me down each time. It was only at a high school reunion that I learned that she had an affair with a married teacher and that is why she never dated. Some teachers knew as well as a lot of students, including the teacher's daughter who was a friend of the girl. Everyone had a good laugh that I did not have a clue.
 
You may have had that experience and we're shocked but I have heard that several were not shocked A predator can be very secretive and charming and most have no clue what has happened.
 
Fact said:
I am not trying to act like Espola but ... if you trust the Eagle leadership why would you have been gone in a heart beat if you heard any rumblings? If you trusted them, wouldn't you trust them to take immediate action and thus stay?

Also just because you did not know does not mean that others did not know. I am not saying that they knew, but it is possible. When I was in high school I kept asking a girl out, she was gorgeous but never seemed to be dating anyone. She turned me down each time. It was only at a high school reunion that I learned that she had an affair with a married teacher and that is why she never dated. Some teachers knew as well as a lot of students, including the teacher's daughter who was a friend of the girl. Everyone had a good laugh that I did not have a clue.
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I would have left to protect my dd's ... no rumblings, no rumors...
As I said to know VT and to know this happened is beyond belief...it's terribly sad for all involved. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around this.
I interacted with VT everyother week day and countless soccer weekends, for many years, never saw anything, suspected anything, nothing.
You all have a great day...
 
That's why this is upsetting and why there has to be rules and structure in place to prevent opportunities from being available. VT pled guilty so he admitted to having sex with his 14 year old player - it happened, not alleged or suspected anymore. It is a fact, not he said/she said or a false claim by someone that some suspected of trying to ruin his reputation.
 
Soccer43 said:
That's why this is upsetting and why there has to be rules and structure in place to prevent opportunities from being available. VT pled guilty so he admitted to having sex with his 14 year old player - it happened, not alleged or suspected anymore. It is a fact, not he said/she said or a false claim by someone that some suspected of trying to ruin his reputation.
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No one disputes what VT has plead to, I certainly haven't. His reputation is forever tarnished.
What I dispute is that the club or anyone for that matter was aware of something neferious and ignored it...
 
I would agree with you - it is possible they knew nothing and if you don't know what the warning signs are you would never suspect this.
 
Coaches have separate lives from soccer and this from what I understand all happened during personal time, not at any team or club events. I also heard that her mother was the team manager during that time. Obviously this was hidden from everyone. Parents must be hyper vigilant at all times!
 
Coke bottle eyes said:
Coaches have separate lives from soccer and this from what I understand all happened during personal time, not at any team or club events. I also heard that her mother was the team manager during that time. Obviously this was hidden from everyone. Parents must be hyper vigilant at all times!
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You joined two years ago, you have only made 6 comments in two years, and all 6 have been in defense of the Eagles on this topic. No other comments, no other posts? What is your affiliation?

Back to the topic, Vince Thomas, the Eagles Girls DOC broke the #1 rule and did not look out for the welfare of the players he was entrusted to protect. The fact that the mother was the "Team Manager" even further infuriates me, and makes me think that the Eagles management had to know something.
 
Sons of Pitches said:
You joined two years ago, you have only made 6 comments in two years, and all 6 have been in defense of the Eagles on this topic. No other comments, no other posts? What is your affiliation?

Back to the topic, Vince Thomas, the Eagles Girls DOC broke the #1 rule and did not look out for the welfare of the players he was entrusted to protect. The fact that the mother was the "Team Manager" even further infuriates me, and makes me think that the Eagles management had to know something.
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You're wrong....
 
Sons of Pitches said:
You joined two years ago, you have only made 6 comments in two years, and all 6 have been in defense of the Eagles on this topic. No other comments, no other posts? What is your affiliation?

Back to the topic, Vince Thomas, the Eagles Girls DOC broke the #1 rule and did not look out for the welfare of the players he was entrusted to protect. The fact that the mother was the "Team Manager" even further infuriates me, and makes me think that the Eagles management had to know something.
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What does the mom being the team manager have to do with anything? Because she is the team manager, the Eagles must have known? Basically you are implying the mom knew, let it continue and told the Eagles????? I don't follow.
 
Fact said:
What does the mom being the team manager have to do with anything? Because she is the team manager, the Eagles must have known? Basically you are implying the mom knew, let it continue and told the Eagles????? I don't follow.
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You are implying that she knew. I was just stating a known fact and was not implying anything....If I were to assume anything is would be that she didn't know or she would have notified the authorities immediately and it wouldn't have gone unreported for TEN years. My reason for posting that information was to show how well hidden it must have been. Geez.
 
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