F
ormer University of Guelph Track and Field coach Dave Scott-Thomas was fired from the university in December 2019 for unprofessional conduct. In February 2020, allegations against Scott-Thomas by a former student and athlete, Megan Brown, were published in The Globe and Mail. Scott-Thomas had coached at the university for more than 20 years, during which time he led the Guelph Gryphons to 37 national titles and earned U Sports coach of the year 35 times. He also coached 16 Canadian national teams, including the 2016 Rio Olympics. What follows is a timeline of events that gives an overview of the allegations and dismissal of Scott-Thomas.
Timeline:
2006 — University of Guelph Track and Field Coach Dave Scott-Thomas is investigated after the university received a complaint from the family member of an athlete. Scott-Thomas is suspended for four weeks following the investigation.
Dec. 12, 2019 — Scott-Thomas is put on leave of absence after the university received new information about the coach’s conduct. The university states, “We are actively and responsibly reviewing the information received in accordance with university processes and procedures.” Speed River Track and Field club, which was owned by Scott-Thomas, also announces that he is on leave from the club.
Dec. 16, 2019 — Scott-Thomas fired from the University of Guelph after the new information revealed that Scott-Thomas had lied during the 2006 investigation.
“While the 2019 investigation [into Scott-Thomas] was on-going, the university received new information related to the earlier investigation that made it clear that Scott-Thomas lied repeatedly in 2006 about several significant matters,” the university states.
Jan. 7, 2020 — Speed River Track and Field club closes its doors to new and returning athletes, offering refunds to those who have already registered for the spring season.
“Moving forward, there are initiatives underway to create a new training platform in which our top priority is to ensure continued programming for track and field athletes in our community in a fun, safe and caring environment,” the club stated on their website. (Editor’s Note: As of this writing, the Speed River Track and Field club’s website has been taken down.)
Feb. 8, 2020 — The Globe and Mail publishes a tell-all article in which former athlete Megan Brown shares her experience running for Scott-Thomas, from her recruitment to today. In the article, Brown alleges that she was “groomed” by Scott-Thomas for a sexual relationship that began when she was in high school and continued while she was a student at the University of Guelph. The article also shares that Brown’s father had notified the University of the misconduct in 2006. Scott-Thomas’s lawyer has said that the allegations were unsubstantiated and inaccurate.
Feb. 10, 2020 — The Globe and Mail reports that the president of the University of Guelph has reached out to Brown to apologize for Scott-Thomas’ misconduct. CTV news also reports that Athletics Canada Athlete Council condemns Athletics Canada’s handling of the allegations against Scott-Thomas.
Feb. 12, 2020 — CTV News reports that Scott-Thomas has been removed from the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame.
“The Board of Directors reserves the right to remove an inducted member from the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame after careful review of supporting public information on actions deemed to be extraordinary undesirable or demonstrate detrimental conduct,” the statement said.
Feb. 20, 2020 — Samantha Beattie writes about her experience running for Scott-Thomas for the Huffington Post. On the same day, CBC News reported that Queen’s Track and Field Coach Steve Boyd was fired from his position in light of social media posts commenting on the Scott-Thomas situation.
In one of Boyd’s comments he states, “Given Dave’s victimization of Megan Brown, and the massive benefits Guelph enjoyed as a result of the years of coaching he stole through his lies, does either of them deserve to keep this legacy of competitive success?” Boyd continued saying, “whether or not anyone thinks that, in the end, Dave was an effective coach or not, there is no denying the recruiting advantage his apparent success, and, eventually, his National Team connections, gave the U of G over all those years.” Queen’s University said Boyd’s comments “follow a pattern of objectionable social media commentary spanning several years, about which he had previously been formally cautioned.”
The Ontarion considers this story as ongoing, and this timeline will be updated as the story evolves. The Ontarion encourages anyone with information to reach out to the Editor-in-Chief directly.
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