Safe Sport and Tiger Aquatics

What is Safe Sport?

Tiger Aquatics strictly adheres to the mandates, guidelines, and authority of multiple governing bodies relative to Safe Sport. "USA Swimming Safe Sport is USA Swimming’s own abuse prevention program. Established in 2010, it was the first comprehensive program of its kind in the Olympic movement. The U.S. Center for Safe Sport [est. 2017] is an independent nonprofit organization, separate from USA Swimming Safe Sport, that takes exclusive jurisdiction over reports of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and sexually explicit/inappropriate communication through social media." This combined oversight provides a "multi-layered approach to keeping kids safe ... includ[ing] required policies and best practice guidelines, mandatory screening, training and education as well as monitoring, supervision and mandatory reporting. These measures are informed by experts in the field of child safety and are among the strongest safeguards found in any youth-serving organization."

[Quotations from Devonie Pitre, "Remembering to Keep Kids Safe on Safer in Sports Day," 08/08/2023, usaswimming.org]

Policies and Guidelines

Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) -- "addresses one-on-one interactions, social media and electronic communications, travel: local and team, locker rooms and changing areas and massages, rubdowns and athletic training modalities." Authored by USA Swimming Safe Sport; wholly adopted by Tiger Aquatics.

Best Practices Guidelines -- USA Swimming Safe Sport provides this insightful overview of what Safe Sport looks like in practice.

USA Swimming Code of Conduct [as stated in the 2025 USA Swimming Rule Book, Article 304, pp. 89-91]

Tiger Aquatics Coaches Code of Conduct [updated 2025]

Tiger Aquatics Parent Code of Conduct [updated 2025]

Tiger Aquatics Swimmer Code of Conduct [updated 2025]

Tiger Aquatics Grievance Procedure [updated 2025]

Tiger Aquatics Photography Policy [updated 2025]

Tiger Aquatics Locker Room Policy [updated 2025]

Tiger Aquatics Anti-Bullying Policy [updated 2025]

Parent Consent Forms

Adult Local Travel Permission Form (local transport with a minor athlete)

Unrelated Adult Competition Travel Permission Form (travel to competition with a minor athlete)

Adult Lodging Permission Form (lodging with a minor athlete)

Adult Treatment Permission Form (licensed massage or other certified treatment of a minor athlete)

Education and Training

USA Swimming Policy on Athlete Protection Education

Athlete Protection Training Course (required of all non-athlete USA Swimming members and athletes aged 18+)

Parent and Minor Athlete (ages 13-17) Online Training -- On the linked page, scroll to the bottom section titled "USA SWIMMING EDUCATION PLATFORM." Information is provided on the required PARENT course and the MINOR ATHLETE course. For each, a link is provided to proceed directly to and complete the course. You'll be required to be signed in to do so, and information is available on the site for either creating or restoring access to your and/or your minor athlete's account.

Contact at Tiger Aquatics

The Safe Sport Coordinator for Tiger Aquatics is Aaron Bailey. Her email address is [email protected].

The Head Coach for Tiger Aquatics is Jeff Berghoff. His email is [email protected].

The current Board President is Dave McCowin. Email: [email protected].

 

Reporting a Safe Sport Issue/Concern

 
Please consider the resources listed below, but if you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to contact Tiger Aquatics staff listed above for guidance or assistance as needed.
  • PA Department of Human Services: Call 1-800-932-0313. 
  • U.S. Center for Safe Sport:
    • ​Deal with a Concern: To make a report to USA Swimming Safe Sport call (719) 866-4578 or click THIS LINK.

    • Make a Report: To make a report to the U.S Center for SafeSport use their Online Reporting Form, call the U.S. Center for SafeSport 833-5US-SAFE (833-587-7233), or find more information at www.uscenterforsafesport.org. 

      • Report Anonymously: Text anonymous tips to 888-270-SWIM (888-270-7946).

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