Confirming what were told by sources within the team last night, former Gator Swim Club head coach Bryan Woodward has been arrested by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office on charges of Using a Computer to Solicit a Minor and Travel to Meet a Minor. The Osceola County Correctional Department confirmed that Woodward was arrested on these charges and held for a total of $11,500 in bonds.
They also said that he is to be released on condition of home confienement with electronic monitoring (commonly known as “house arrest”).
Woodward has been the head coach of the Gator Swim Club for the past year, and previously worked as the coach of the Glen Falls YMCA in New York.
Bryan Woodward was the best, most supportive coach my daughter ever had, and her favorite coach of all time (BOSS). We are horrified by this; however, this is America — innocent until proven guilty. Let him have his day in court and let’s see the evidence before we hang Bryan. We are praying it is all a mistake.
Bryan Woodard’s actions are a reflection of his character and have nothing to do with the team he coached.His actions have caused him irreparable harm and have also hurt those who trusted and believed in him.The swim team needs to move forward knowing that Bryan has a problem but it should have no reflection on them.
They should focus on the good and understand that all humans are fallible.Bryan has made a poor choice and he is facing the consequences.
He needs our prayers to hopefully turn this horrible circumstance into something positive.
Yes being a Peadeophile is a mistake. Let’s not jump to an crazy conclusions just based on an arrest in a police sting operation where a guy shows up to have sex with a minor. He could have driven there there for any number of reasons.
If you don’t know Bryan personally then I don’t think you have any real reason for bashing on him. Bryan was an great coach and one of the only reasons I’ve accomplished all that I have. He taught me valuable life lessons that i’ll never forget and I can’t believe all the people who are turning their backs on him after all he’s done for them. I don’t think anyone should be blowing the accusations out of proportion before the trial or before we really know all the facts about the case. Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t make him seem like a monster for being accused.
I dont think it is club bashing to ask if the club did more than a background check. We know those are only good in sniffing out a pedophile IF they have been arrested before.It is the more personal checking of references and talking with people at previous location that would be pertinent information as it pertains to club.This is what has driven some of the finger pointing in other notorious cases–Even if this swim club did not do more than a legal background check, it still does not mean they condone the alleged behavior of this coach. It just is a huge wake up call for everyone. Also, this club couldve very well done everything possible to check this… Read more »
From Sandusky to Woodward, coaches have been in the news a lot for the wrong reasons. I waived good bye at the airport to my 17 yr. daughter this morning at 4:30am on her way to Austin with her coach (and his son) without a worry about anything improper happening. Someone must have stats saying that predator coaches/officials in our sport are a minuscule minority. Congratulations to the police/parents/swimmers in these recent cases who’ve helped identify and catch these guys who have somehow managed to go undetected.
I agree with you on the team bashing for sure, many of those people don’t have a dog in this fight. As for the critical comments of the coach, that is one man’s perception and he does have his 1st amendment rights. As long as he keeps it civil, there is no reason to censor it. Otherwise, the point of the forums and threads are meaningless.
This may not be your intention, but this was not a mistake. Forgetting to put a stamp on a letter or forgetting to set your alarm are mistakes. This was a choice.
It also does not matter how much good a person does if what is happening right now comes to fruition as the… Read more »
Coach Erik,
I completely understand that, and I swim for Bryan so of course all of us are not only ashamed but also taken completely aback. In no way am I saying that he is an innocent man, he is definitely guilty and he deserves these consequences. What I am saying is that he was a great coach while he was here, and the parents and swimmers of the team all once respected him.
Naturally I am going to stand up for him when he is being bashed at by another coach who hadn’t spent as much time with him as his swimmers did.
He made a mistake and for that he’s lost all respect from the team… Read more »