Noah Rucker has been added to USA Swimming’s banned for life list, as of January 31st, 2013, making him the first coach banned of the new year.
After a plea with prosecutors, Rucker was convicted of one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after being accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a former swimmer of his 10 years ago.
Often times, USA Swimming hands out permanent bans before the settlement of the legal case; in this instance, with the first reports coming out in June but the ban didn’t come until after the legal case was settled. As a USA Swimming spokesperson told us earlier this month, however, Rucker was under a temporary ban while he worked his way through hearings with the organization.
Rucker was a former club coach for many teams, including most recently the Curl Burke Swim Club in the Washington D.C. area, now known as Nation’s Capital Aquatic Club.
His ban came under the heading of section 304.3.6 of the USA Swimming code of conduct, which specifies that in their eyes there is no difference between pleaing to charges for any criminal offense against a minor and being found guilty.
304.3.6 Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past or present, or the existence of any pending charges, for (i) any felony, (ii) any offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent to distribute illegal drugs or substances, (iii) any crime involving sexual misconduct, or (iv) any criminal offense against a minor.
