The MCAA has a background check policy. This background check process will cover all baseball, softball and basketball coaches. The existing background checking system that is currently in place for soccer coaches will also continue to be upheld. The policy is in place for all coaches who are not being checked by the NCYSA Soccer background check. If you are checked by the soccer process in a given year, you do not have to be background checked again until the soccer process indicates.
All background information is public information however, we the MCAA, will not publish or disclose any information to our board, parents or any outside entity. All background checks are returned as either 'pass' or 'fail'. Further details can be obtained and an appeal can be made to the Background Administrator.
MCAA Background Screening Policy
Purpose
It is the intent of this policy to establish guidelines wherein the McGee’s Crossroads Athletic Association (hereinafter referred to as "the Association”) and its affiliated recreation clubs can seek to protect the children of the McGee’s Crossroads community by investigating the background of volunteers who will be coaching in sanctioned athletic programs.
General Guidelines
1. All recreation clubs shall ensure that all participants 18 years of age or younger shall have at least one (1) approved coach or assistant coach (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Coach”) present at each athletic activity, including practices, games and meetings.
2. Any person who has been convicted of or has a pending charges pertaining to any of the disqualifying offenses listed in this policy will be immediately disqualified from coaching (either head or assistant) in any sanctioned athletic program approved by the association. A coach who willfully fails to comply with this background screening shall be automatically disqualified.
3. All sports will have all coaches (one head coach and up to one assistant coach) processed for approval. Each coach will have his or her background checked every 24 months for as long as he or she continues coaching.
Screening Process
The Association’s Athletic Staff (Chair or background admin.) will establish deadlines by which the Volunteer Consent/Release Forms are due back to the association. These deadlines will be at least two weeks prior to the start of practices for each sport. This will give the Chair/Admin. time to compile and process the forms, and to conduct the background checks. After the background check, the results of the background check will be forwarded to the respective Sports Chair. The Chair/Admin. will then advise the association of any coaches who are disqualified. All information pertaining to the background check will remain with the Chair/Admin., subject to the applicable laws requiring disclosure. The association will not be informed of the results of any background check; rather, the association will only be told that a coach is disqualified.
In any of the disqualifying entries are reported in the criminal background check, the association shall notify (by certified mail) the Coach that he or she is disqualified and may notify the coach’s recreation club that the coach is disqualified. If a Coach requests the results of the coach’s background check, the association shall send a copy of the background check to the Coach. The association will send an acknowledgment for that the Coach must sign and return to the Department.
Confidentiality
To help ensure confidentially, league presidents and other recreation clubs personnel and the association shall not be notified of a coach’s criminal history. The criminal background reports shall be kept in secure location for a period as required by applicable law or, the person is no longer a volunteer coach, whichever is later.
Accountability
Sports committees play just as important a role in this screening program as does the association. It is important for the integrity of the background screening program that all sports Chairs and personnel verify that only those persons who are screened and approved by the association be allowed to coach. Also, all sports committees should ensure that such persons are only active with the team or teams identified on the Volunteer Youth Sports Consent/Release Form pertaining to that person.
Appeals Process
If a coach’s background check includes a conviction of a charge that is set forth on the list of disqualifiers, the association shall immediately disqualify a person from volunteering as a coach. There shall be no appeal of a decision to disqualify a coach if the coach’s relevant criminal history is accurate.
If a coach wishes to dispute the content of the profile report, the coach shall contact the third party responsible for conducting the background check by calling the telephone number listed on the report. The coach is responsible for providing any or all documentation to support his or her claim. If the circumstances change regarding the disqualified coach, they must request in writing for a new criminal history back search.
Disqualify Offenses
Any person will be disqualified from coaching or assistant coaching with any athletic team in any athletic program approved by the McGee’s Crossroads Athletic Association if the coach has been (1.) found guilty or entered a guilty or no contendere plea regardless of the adjudication for any of the disqualifying offense (2). has a charge pending against him or her in which it is alleged that he or she has committed any of the following crimes or (3.) has a record of a conviction of an equivalent offense in another state.
