Former Henderson State swimmer Joshua Lawson has been suspended for 1 year from USA Swimming membership.
Lawson’s suspension, published on December 15th, has effective dates of November 21st, 2017 through November 20th, 2018. He was suspended under two sections of USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct: 304.3.7 (2016-present) and 304.3.19 (2014-present), which are listed below:
304.3.7
- A Any inappropriate sexual conduct or advance, or other inappropriate oral, written, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature at any time, past or present, directed towards an athlete or any person under the age of eighteen (18) by (i) a coach member or other non-athlete member, or (ii) any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the activities of USA Swimming (whether such adult is a member or not).
- B Any act of sexual harassment, including without limitation unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate oral, written, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature 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.
304.3.19
- 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.
Lawson swam each of the last two seasons for Henderson State, and was on the school’s original 2017-2018 roster, but has since been removed. Jennifer Boyett, Vice President for University Advancement at Henderson State, says that Lawson last swam for Henderson State ‘briefly’ in November of 2016 and withdrew from the University in January of 2017. Lawson is originally from Edmond, Oklahoma.
According to records from the USOC Center for SafeSport, Lawson’s suspension will include an educational program and probation. The U.S. Center for Safesport isn’t as specific as USA Swimming when discussing Code of Conduct violations, but lists the violation as “Sexual misconduct – Sexual harassment.”
When contacted for comment, Lawson said he had “nothing to say on the matter.”
Updated: December 22nd, 2017 @ 12:39 Central with more information from Henderson State University.
