Noah Rucker Added to USA Swimming’s Banned for Life List
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, February 1. TODAY, USA Swimming updated its Banned for Life list by adding Noah Rucker of Virginia.
Rucker, 40, entered an Alford plea early in January in the Fairfax County court, which led to a conviction of a misdemeanor of contributing to the delinquency of a minor stemming from having sexual relations with a 17-year-old in 2001. An Alford plea is an admission that there is enough evidence to convict, without actually admitting to being guilty.
Last year, Rucker was initially charged with three felony counts stemming from sexual relations with a 17-year-old student while employed at Madison High School as a swim coach. Rucker, however, plea-bargained his way out of any more stringent punishment.
Rucker also spent time as a coach at the former Curl-Burke Swim Club, now known as Nation's Capital Swim Club.
Rucker was banned by USA Swimming for violating Code of Conduct 304.3.6:
304.3.6 Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past or present, or the existence of any pending charges, for (i) any felony, (ii) any offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent to distribute illegal drugs or substances, (iii) any crime involving sexual misconduct, or (iv) any criminal offense against a minor.