By John Boccacino
January 20th, 2008

Democrat & Chronicle

Thousands of Rochester-area parents drop off their children at youth sports practices and games every day, trusting the volunteer coaches to teach the basic rules and skills of sports — and life.

These parents want to feel safe leaving their children with these people. But their trust has been violated by some.

Earlier this month, a youth softball coach in Livingston County was charged with having inappropriate communications with two female athletes under the age of 13. Last year, an East Rochester gymnastics coach began serving a 16-year prison sentence for enticing a 13-year-old student to commit sexual acts with him in 2005.While these incidents sometimes make parents worry about who is coaching their children, a Democrat and Chronicle review of youth sports found that cases such as these are exceptions. However, the training and certification of these youth sports coaches is varied. The state also has no role in overseeing who is selected as a coach.

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