The University of Hawaii is reviewing allegations of sexual misconduct against Charlie Wade, head coach of the top-ranked Rainbow Warriors mens volleyball program, the university announced Thursday.
The universitys announcement comes a day after a Southern California News Group report that Wade has continued to coach the Big West champions this season while being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and suspended since September from participating in any USA Volleyball-sanctioned events.
The specter of sexual misconduct allegations against high profile coaches threatens to overshadow the NCAA tournament which opened Thursday and concludes with the national title match at Walter Pyramid on the Long Beach State May 4.
Scott Touzinsky, an assistant for No. 2 seed Long Beach State and a 2008 Olympic gold medalist, left the 49ers program Wednesday a day after it was revealed he was sanctioned by the U.S. Center for SafeSport following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving an underage female athlete.
Like Wade, Touzinsky had continued coaching during the current college season despite being suspended by USA Volleyball and SafeSport since July.
An attorney for Wade has requested updates on the ongoing SafeSport investigation on multiple occasions since April 4, according to the university. SafeSport, however, has not responded, according to the university.
The alleged victim has also expressed frustration about the length of the SafeSport investigation and the lack of updates and responsiveness from SafeSport staff, according to persons familiar with the case.
Wade denies “any type of misconduct” and has cooperated with the SafeSport investigation, the university said.
Wade and Hawaii athletic director David Matlin have not responded to requests for comment.
SafeSport does not discuss “specific matters to protect the integrity of the investigative process and those involved, including witnesses and potential victims,” a spokesman for SafeSport said in an email Thursday.
Under Wade, a former Cal State Fullerton womens assistant coach and Redondo Beach native, Hawaii is 27-2 this season and the top-seed in the NCAA tournament.
USA Volleyball in February 2018 became aware of sexual misconduct allegations regarding Wade and an underage female athlete who played for him at Magnum Volleyball Club in Orange County club in the early 1990s, according to SafeSport and USA Volleyball documents. The alleged misconduct continued during the womans college career, according to SafeSport and USA Volleyball documents.
USA Volleyball forwarded the case to SafeSport in March 2018 but the center did not contact the alleged victim for another month, according to SafeSport documents and a person familiar with the case. SafeSport began investigating in July or August and agreed that the allegations fell under the centers jurisdiction in September..
Wade was placed on an interim measure-suspension Sept. 5, 2018, pending a SafeSport investigation, according to USA Volleyball and SafeSport records
Wade has been listed as suspended on a public list on the USA Volleyball website since at least last fall.
According to SafeSport, under an interim measure-suspension the individual under investigation “is prohibited from participating in any capacity in any activity or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies recognized by the USOC, and/or a Local Affiliated Organization of a national governing body recognized by the USOC pending final resolution of the matter.”
NCAA events do not fall under SafeSport, USOC or USA Volleyball authority, so suspended coaches are not prohibited by rule from coaching on collegiate teams while under investigation by SafeSport.
“There are media reports that University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Head Mens Volleyball Coach Charlie Wade is under investigation by the U.S. CenRead More – Source
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