Bearsharktopus Aquatics Head Coach Bobby Allison Added To SafeSport Database

Robert “Bobby” Allison, the head coach of Bearsharktopus Aquatics in Springfield, Ill., has been added to the U.S. Center for SafeSport Disciplinary Database.

Allison was added to the database on July 31 with a temporary suspension and a no contact directive under allegations of misconduct. He has also been suspended by USA Swimming on an interim basis.

On July 19, a civil case was opened in Sangamon County (Illinois) court against Allison, with a “Stalking No Contact Order” issued by plaintiff Derek Harms.

Harms is notably the Executive Director of the Springfield Parks District. SwimSwam has reached out to Harms but has not received a reply.

In Illinois, the Stalking No Contact Order is a civil “stay away” order for victims of stalking who do not have a relationship with the offender.

Allison has also been referred to the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, according to a source.

Allison has been the head coach of Bearksharktopus Aquatics for seven seasons, having initially started the Bearksharktopus Swim School before developing it into a club team after one year. He also coaches the Seacats Swim Club, a summer league team in Springfield.

Allison and Harms are scheduled to appear in Sangamon County Court on Thursday, August 3.

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Emma Herrin
1 year ago

I swam for Bearsharktopus and went to nationals with the team I is a real problem for me.

Soapy
1 year ago

Bearsharktopus!? More like bear-with me folks, shark in the water but don’t panic, the hero is the oc-topus! The Octopus then comes from off screen and does a sick move to counter the sharks killer moves. the octopus then summons an army of manta rays to blind the shark with the strategy that he has paper on his eyes! Manta rays look like paper, they’re like the paper of the sea

swimster
1 year ago

makes puppymonkeybaby seem like a great concept.

Yannick Angel Martino Moravcova
1 year ago

Manbearpig Swim Association doesn’t feel so special anymore.

Bossanova
1 year ago

Bearsharktopus is real. I’m super cereal

Dude, Trust me
1 year ago

You got me, Swimswam. I would not have clicked on another one of these sad articles were it not for that team name being in the headline.

Anon
1 year ago

I wish I could say anyone locally is surprised.

DK99
1 year ago

I presume its for that ridiculous team name?

Steve Nolan
Reply to  DK99
1 year ago

That’s easily the most heinous crime here.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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