SYC is committed to providing the highest quality sports programs for the children of the greater Springfield area. SYC sincerely believes that the hundreds of generous, talented volunteers who give of their time for the betterment of our children each season are properly motivated, qualified and of exemplary character.
Nevertheless, the protection of the children is the primary concern of SYC. Therefore, we take very seriously the character and qualifications of the volunteers who are allowed to coach them.
Consequently, SYC screens every volunteer coach who offers to coach any sport among the club’s various programs. While some other youth sports organizations limit their background checks to a review of the Virginia State Police list of registered sex offenders, SYC subjects every volunteer coach to a nationwide criminal background check at substantial cost through a third party vendor. SYC strongly believes that its coach screening process is among the best in use by youth sports programs nationally and it remains committed to only offering the best programs and coaches for the betterment of the youth of our community.
Specifically, all volunteer coach applicants must electronically submit and sign the online APPLICATION FOR COACHING TRAINING POSITION. Southeastern Security Consultants Inc. then provides the comprehensive background screening for SYC. The comprehensive background screening on each prospective volunteer includes the following:
- Social Security Verification – This verifies the coach’s name against the Social Security Number provided. This helps to eliminate the possibility of false names and/or information.
- Let’s Check for - Provides access through The National Background Directory™ to criminal data from 47 states where more than 75 percent of the nation’s population lives (currently over 116 million records).
- Sex Offender Registry - Search of 32 State and/or County repositories for known sex offenders.
However, in spite of all our efforts to prevent it, a person with no prior record can pass our screening process and initiate inappropriate behaviors with our children. In that light, SYC urges all of our members to report any concerns or incidents that they believe could constitute some form of child abuse, sexual abuse or sexual harassment. We pledge to fully investigate any incident and to take appropriate action both internally and in cooperation with the appropriate governmental authorities.
If you have any questions or concerns about these matters, please email the President of SYC, Dennis Clausen, the EEO Officer of SYC, Debbie Forcht or the Office Manager of SYC, Carolyn Brennan or call the office at 703-339-3796.
