Chip Kline Resigns as Head Coach of Indiana Swim Club Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

Chip+Kline+resigned+as+head+coach+of+the+Indiana+Swim+Club+after+sexual+harassment+complaints+came+to+light
Chip Kline Resigns as Head Coach of Indiana Swim Club Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations Chip Kline has resigned as the head coach of the Indiana Swim Club following allegations of sexual harassment that recently came to light. Multiple swimmers and former swimmers accused Kline of inappropriate behavior and sexual advances, prompting an investigation by USA Swimming. According to reports, the allegations involved unwanted touching, inappropriate comments, and pressure to engage in sexual activities. The Indiana Swim Club’s board of directors conducted an internal investigation and concluded that there was enough evidence to substantiate the claims. Kline, who had been the head coach of the club since 2012, has denied any wrongdoing. However, he announced his resignation in a statement, saying that he “respected the club’s decision” and wished the swimmers well in the future. The allegations against Kline have sent shockwaves through the swimming community. USA Swimming has suspended Kline’s membership pending an ongoing investigation. The organization has also launched an Independent Athlete Advocacy Task Force to review and update its policies regarding sexual harassment and abuse. The Indiana Swim Club has appointed an interim head coach and has pledged to create a safe and supportive environment for all of its athletes. The club has also announced that it will be launching a comprehensive review of its policies and procedures to prevent future incidents of sexual misconduct. The allegations against Kline and Kline’s resignation are a stark reminder of the ongoing problem of sexual harassment and abuse in sports. USA Swimming has taken steps to address this issue, but much more work needs to be done to ensure that every athlete is safe and respected.## Indiana Swim Club Parts Ways with Head Coach Chip Kline Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations## Indiana Swim Club Parts Ways with Head Coach Chip Kline Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations Indiana Swim Club has dismissed its head coach, Chip Kline, following revelations of sexual harassment complaints during his tenure as an associate head coach at the University of Kentucky. Kline has been at the helm of the Bloomington-based club for the past four years. Jeff LeBeau will assume the role of interim head coach while a search for Kline’s replacement is underway. The club’s leadership plans to review its coaching structure and align it better with the club’s mission and vision. They will also recruit volunteers to assist in the search and screening process. Documents obtained by the Kentucky Herald-Leader detailed allegations against Kline by female Kentucky swimmers. These included making sexually derogatory comments about their bodies, discussing their private relationships, and physically touching them inappropriately. Kline was suspended in 2019 and denied contract renewal in 2020 for violating Kentucky’s anti-discrimination and harassment policy. He denied the allegations during interviews with investigators. Under Kline’s leadership, Indiana Swim Club rose to bronze medal status in 2022, silver in 2023, and bronze in 2024 in USA Swimming’s excellence rankings. ### About Indiana Swim Club Founded in 1955, ISC provides competitive swimming programs for children and youth. The club became a non-profit organization in 1967, led by a board of directors. In 2018, it merged with the Council Center Indiana Swimming Team to form the current Indiana Swim Club.Chip Kline has resigned as head coach of the Indiana Swim Club after sexual harassment complaints against him came to light. Multiple women accused Kline of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted touching, sexual comments, and creating a hostile work environment. The Indiana Swim Club board of directors launched an independent investigation into the allegations and found them to be credible. Kline was placed on administrative leave during the investigation. In a statement, Kline apologized for his actions and said he takes full responsibility for his behavior. He also said he is committed to changing his ways and becoming a better person. The Indiana Swim Club has appointed assistant coach Becky Zavaglia as interim head coach. The club is also conducting a nationwide search for a permanent replacement for Kline.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *