Coach pulls swimmer out of pool...by her hair

At no point should a coach put his hands on an athlete.  Roseville (Calif.) High School girls assistant swim coach, Geoff Cappell seems to have forgotten this very important edict.  Cappell is a volunteer assistant and works under his daughter, head swimming coach Kelly Cappell.  Cappell has resigned his position with the team and may face charges for what you'll see in the KTXL-TV report below (email subscribers click here).



This video is also available at SportsmanshipTV.

Whatever the students may or may not have done to lose the race doesn't matter at this point.  A coach's job is to protect, teach, and correct - in that order.  The safety of your athletes should always come first.  Yes, I've had kids lose on purpose.  It happens to every coach at every level.  I know it makes you angry, but we are the adults.  We're the ones in control.  If this coach had worked within the team structure to discipline the players after the meet, he may have more support from parents and school administrators.  Now, he's in an indefensible position.  Let's not just tell our kids about self-discipline.  Let's practice it ourselves.  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol