Photo by Peter H. Bick
ATHENS, Georgia, October 14. THE University of Georgia and its swimming head coach, Jack Bauerle, are set to stand before an NCAA committee this week to answer to the charges that Bauerle stepped outside of his boundaries as a coach to help a swimmer get an academic advantage.
Original report on NCAA Notice of Allegations in April.
Two of Bauerle’s former swimmers, Kristy Kowal and Kara Forbis, wrote a letter to the university expressing their concern that Bauerle might not be getting the type of support the six-time NCAA Coach of the Year needs from the university administration to help clear his name. Bauerle has been on suspension since January 4 after he violated protocol in attempting to get Chase Kalisz academic help. The NCAA has alleged that Bauerle gave an extra benefit by stepping in to help on the academic matter.
Kalisz also served a short suspension but was able to compete at the NCAA championships and break the American record in the 400-yard individual medley. Bauerle has not been allowed to coach in an official capacity since January, and was unable to be on deck for Kalisz’s record swim or when the women’s team won the NCAA team title in March.
Kowal and Forbis, both multiple All-Americans in their time at Georgia, raised concerns that the university threw public support toward football player Todd Gurley days after he was suspended for being paid for his likeness, a major NCAA violation. The two noted that they had not seen the same type of public rally for Bauerle in the days or weeks after his suspension.
The letter partially states: “Where is the support for someone who has guided his student-athletes to accomplish all of the above academically; not to mention the numerous SEC and NCAA championships his teams have won?
Have you made it clear that Jack “is still a member of the Bulldog family, and we will support him in every way we can?” We would argue, that NO you haven’t made that clear in your actions.
Greg McGarity, the university’s athletic director, responded to the claims in the letter with a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that “…we support Jack and we have all the way through and we’re still fighting for this. Jack knows we’re doing that. That’s all that matters.”
According to the Journal-Constitution, Bauerle is set to face the NCAA committee Thursday. Below is the full letter from Kowal and Forbis.
October 12th, 2014
An Open Letter to The University of Georgia:
Jack Bauerle has been a loyal Bulldog for 34 years. Over these years, his guidance and mentorship has produced the following:
• NCAA Women of the Year: 3
• NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship Winners: 34
• This ranks the Georgia Swimming and Diving PROGRAM 8th out of all COLLEGES in the US
• SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year: 6
• SEC Post Graduate Scholarship Winners: 15
• Capital One Cosida Academic All Americans: 30
• College Swim Coaches of America Assoc. All America Team: Too many to count
• Foundation Fellowship: 8
• Woody Hayes National Scholar Athlete: 1
• Today’s Top VIII award: 3As the news broke of Todd Gurley’s suspension, a subsequent statement from Athletic Director Greg McGarity noted, ‘I encourage the Bulldog Nation to continue to pull together during this difficult time and support all of our coaches and student-athletes as we move forward.” This was very confusing.
We ask where has that public support been for Jack Bauerle’s 35 years of service to Bulldog Nation? Where is the support for someone who has guided his student-athletes to accomplish all of the above academically; not to mention the numerous SEC and NCAA championships his teams have won?
Have you made it clear that Jack “is still a member of the Bulldog family, and we will support him in every way we can?” We would argue, that NO you haven’t made that clear in your actions.
It’s also interesting that Jack currently does not have a title listed on georgiadogs.com, but a member of the athletic department staff who resigned in September still has a title and bio on the website. Personally, as alumni of the program, that’s a slap in the face. To see the university that you were honored to compete for, treat someone who has given so much to so many with such disrespect is disheartening.
The lack of respect for someone who truly embodies the NCAA’s motto and guides his student-athletes to ‘go pro in something other than their sport’ begs the question, WHY? WHY have you approached Jack’s situation differently than you have approached others?
Showing the power of teamwork, as noted in the Athletic Department’s mission statement: We clearly understand that the success of any one person is always the result of dedicated effort on the part of many people, the Swimming and Diving alumni have amassed more than 100 letters speaking to Jack’s character and integrity. These letters have been sent to the NCAA prior to the upcoming hearing. That’s because we believe that Jack truly embodies the values set forth in the athletic department’s mission statement: Integrity, Personal Development, Teamwork, Excellence and Leadership.
Signed,
Kristy Kowal – All American, Olympian, World Champion, NCAA Woman of the Year, 1996-2000
Kara Forbis – All American, Academic All American, USA Swimming National Team Member, 1994-98
Can it be set forth specifically just what Jack is alleged to have done wrong? “… violated protocol in attempting to get Chase Kalisz academic help,” This could be anything from helping him get a tutor but tripping over some arcane protocol in the effort — an activity I’d consider fully in keeping with the Univrsity’s mission – to arranging someone to take a test for him — an activity that would justify dismissal and shame. Since whatever it was, was small enough the NCAA allowed Chase to return in time for NCAA, I’m thinking it is much closer to the first option. But it is really frustrating as a swimming afficianado that I DON’T KNOW. What is up, really. All that is really certain is that the Georgia program is fortunate to have the effective glue in Coach Humphries and the loyalty developed among the Georgia aquatic athletes over the years by Coach Baurle. I hope it goes well.
Hi Duncan. We previously reported the full allegations against Coach Bauerle: http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/georgias-jack-bauerle-suspended-indefinitely-following-ncaa-allegation-of-severe-breach-of-conduct/
In short, UGA alleges that Coach Bauerle asked compliance to allow Chase Kalisz to enter a class after the standard add date. Compliance told him no, but Coach Bauerle still went to the teacher on Chase’s behalf to get him added. That, in and of itself, would be seen as an extra benefit. But, Chase was unable to complete the course load before the end of the semester, and it is alleged that Coach Bauerle then made an arrangement with the teacher to allow Chase to complete the work by early January.
All of this, again, alleged to have been done against the wishes of UGA Compliance. Read the full previous report in the link for all of the details. Coach Bauerle isn’t talking about it, so we do not know his side of the story, just what was alleged in the NCAA Notice of Allegations.
Understand that the coach probably should not do this…but, most Division 1 programs, especially those who are top 20 programs, have an ‘athletic advisor’ who is the mediator between student athlete and academic departments. And yes, this is common for the athletic advisor to speak on behalf of the student athlete who maintains a rigorous courseload AND athletic schedule.
I know this is not quite the same thing, but I remember I had a final on a friday before winter break. Our bus left for our training trip before one of my finals. There was no way I could make that final and be on the bus at the same time. I contacted my athletic advisor and coach. I don’t know what the conversation was between them, but the professor who was adamant about if i missed the final, i would get a 0 suddenly changed his tune to, “I have office hours on Thursday, if you arrive then and take the exam, that will suffice.” In other words, because of my athletic schedule, i was forced to have to get a particular benefit by my school due to the schedule conflict. I see nothing wrong with that. Our training trip was in florida and i did not have the money to buy a plane ticket and meet them down there, so I had to be on that bus.
To my knowledge, this happens all the time where an athletic advisor encourages the student athlete to take this course, or that course. I am not defending what Georgia did in this case, especially because it was a ‘late add’ and not finishing work on time, but I can understand if Chase was away for a week or more during the semester at away meets, if there could possibly be some leniency by the school….after all, he IS representing his school in these events. Now, should he have taken care of his coursework also and tried to get it done on time…absolutely, but given a schedule that GEORGIA gave him with swimming, perhaps that is not quite possible.
At any rate, I don’t see the need to suspend the coach for this. And if so, I don’t understand how the suspension has not been lifted by now (this happened last year, not this year).
Thank you for providing the information. Sorry I missed it when given previously.
Here’s the report from the local Athens newspaper about the results of UGA’s investigation.
http://onlineathens.com/sports/college-sports/2014-07-03/uga-details-academic-mishap-coach-involvement-bauerle-case
Here’s a few interesting passages:
“On Dec. 10, Bauerle contacted an associate professor — whose name and department was redacted throughout the documents — to request Kalisz be added to one of his classes with the understanding Kalisz would be given an incomplete and would make up the work in the spring for a satisfactory grade.”
“Georgia describes the late addition as hardly unique, noting Kalisz was one of 69 students who ‘properly added a course with the approval of the required faculty members in December 2013 — and one of 710 who added a course after the add/drop deadline of Sept. 11, 2013.’ The instructor described this practice as `routine.’ ”
“The unnamed associate professor gave Kalisz a passing grade — an `S’ — and was then contacted by Bauerle, who said he never asked the swimmer be given the mark without doing the work, the investigation found.”
“The university has since enacted a change to its policy regarding students enrolling in a class after the drop/add date. A student must now submit a letter explaining the reason for the request; the instructor must submit a report detailing how the student can complete the coursework on time; and the dean must submit a letter to the registrar providing `extraordinary justification’ for the late addition.”
Fantastic letter Kristy and Kara! Thank you for your support of Jack. University of Georgia is a great institution, but at this point in time needs to really look in the mirror. Let’s all hope the NCAA clears a great coach!
I personally have known Jack for better than 20 years & his character is being severely called into question. I support Coach Bauerle in his fight & feel his Georgia bosses have NOT given him the light of day, otherwise this would not have taken this long to resolve in some fashion. SPREAD the word, please… & also support Ms. Kowal & Forbis.
I think I am going to put forth an unpopular sentiment. I do not know Jack personally but do know his reputation and know folks who have swum for him. He is known to be a great human being so it is understandable that Kristi and Kara put forth such a strong defense for him. If I had been a Bulldog, I would probably do the same. I also understand that I do not know anything beyond the NCAA report and what is written here.
That being said, I have been on both sides as a swimmer and a professor. It would take extraordinary circumstances for someone to be added to a fall semester course in mid to late December. Only if ordered to do so by the university (or the implication was that I would be ordered to) would I have done so and I would have done it under protest. I know someone said almost 70 other students/classes had this happen in December but this is a ridiculously small percentage, also not clear if this was as far into December as this is alleged to have happened. In short this is not ordinary. Also I have no idea how you could not have gone to any classes (surely classes were over by then) and still complete the coursework. I would suggest some investigation into the class itself needs to happen.
Compliance is not looking to do harm to an NCAA titlist at most schools so when they say “NO” it truly is a bad idea to move forward on something. Unless there is an amazing explanation, I don’t think Jack can be cleared as most are suggesting should happen. Again, there may be something I don’t know about as it is now, this is a clear violation of the rules. That being said, I don’t think Jack should be fired or suspended this long either. He should have his day, if nothing comes out then be found guilty, get a penalty and then continue on with his coaching career.
If that isn’t controversial enough, why is Kalisz still swimming for Georgia? He had problems with clearing the academic standards getting in, he then obviously was having issues with staying eligible or there was no other reason for Jack to do what he did. In effect, Jack cared enough for his swimmer to do something that jeopardized his career. Chase is an amazing swimmer but it is not clear that he should be in college. Why not turn pro and head back to NBAC? No shame in that. He would be following in Michael’s footsteps.
I can understand where my POV might be different than others but the academic part of this riles me up. After the UNC fiasco, I am not as forgiving on this sort of thing. I know some folks will argue that this happens all the time. OK, my POV is that it shouldn’t. So if nothing new comes out, let Jack be found guilty but then immediately reinstated. I do feel that a year long punishment is enough. If nothing changes in the material facts and he is totally cleared then that would be a travesty. Go ahead, flame away.
I agree Teamweiss, for reasons outlines below. I do not know the UGeorgia coach, nor any of his swimmers. He appears to have done a great job coaching for many years, and the student-athlete in question appears to be a great athlete. That said, it was a great mistake to interfere, act contrary to the athletics compliance people and attempt some ill-fated and ill-advised assistance to his athlete…compromised his career and reputation, the program’s, Georgia Athletics, and the swimmer’s.
I am deeply troubled by the potential for academic manipulation, and the loop-hole, more like a sink-hole that was filled in by Georgia on “late” registration policy change. From an academic viewpoint that loophole makes the academic endeavor a non-level playing field. It allows a student to register late in a term, and after term’s end should require one heck of a good academic reason especially since I doubt any student asking to add late (or someone doing so on their behalf) was not doing poorly in the course to begin with. As an FYI, one can register on time from any computer in the world (and presumably the space station?) as long as one has the access code—it is not rocket science. One wonders what the book-keeping on federal financial aid dispersal, other forms of aid and grants, etc. looks like under such an environment, not to mention the unfairness to students who registered on time, and slugged it out in their courses and followed the rules. The sink-hole allows a select few to potentially cherry-pick their best courses and register for those late. Wow, what an advantage to those who took advantage! That did not happen here, except for the late registration ex post semester, with an “S” posted for no work done, then undone by a faculty member who claimed s/he was, and I paraphrase “clicking too fast” in final grading. So, the appearance of interference and conflict of interest. We know two things: 1) every large campus has computer software that can report within an hour what athletes are eligible academically or not prior to an athletic contest. Can Degree Works (used by UGeorgia)? I know DARS can; 2) final grades can be uploaded by professor to the student course/registration system.
It is up to teaching faculty to actively police this playing field and make sure it remains level for all their students, despite action or inaction or potential interference (including threats!) from other offices and programs (academic or not) on a campus, or off. If that means forcing changes in policy to keep the field level and fair to preserve academic quality and integrity, so be it.
For the record, I swam in college, and have a long career in higher ed. I always resented anyone “doing favors for” athletes when I was a student or faculty member as it cheapens my accomplishments or my students accomplishments in and out of the classroom, and plays into the hands of people who are biased against student-athletes as it gives credence to a well-known archetype.