Additional impact of college scandal

When the FBI and federal prosecutors revealed a massive bribery scheme to get students admitted to elite universities as recruited athletes, Stanford University was implicated by the actions of its head sailing coach John Vandemoer.

The University responded by immediately terminating their coach as he pleaded guilty in federal court, with a sentencing hearing on June 12 to determine if the plea deal of 18 months in jail will be accepted. However, Vandemoer’s involvement in the sport has required these additional actions:

• CLUB 420 CLASS: John Vandemoer, who held the position as Executive Director of Club 420 Class Association since January 2013, has been removed and the Board of Directors of the C420 Class Association has appointed John Barbano to the position of Interim Executive Director of the class. This is a volunteer position for John as the class starts a search for a permanent executive director.

This position is designed to bring the Club 420 dinghy to a broader audience of sailors throughout North America as well as offer new services to our membership. John Barbano’s wealth of class experience will also allow the Association to provide a consistent face of the class at our events.

John Barbano is well versed in youth sailing; a former Secretary of the USODA Board, and former Club 420 Association Vice President and President, and recently the Commodore of the Brant Beach Yacht Club.

• COLLEGE SAILING: The charges brought forth on March 12 are troubling for all of us in College Sailing. Currently available public information indicates that no other Stanford coaches, Stanford athletes, or any other College Sailing programs, were involved.

The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) strives to provide fair, affordable, competitive opportunities for undergraduates in a non-scholarship, coeducational, and student-centered environment. College Sailing characterizes the values that most universities hope to provide for all their student-athletes, whether varsity, club or recreational.

The ICSA Executive Committee has removed John Vandemoer from all Standing, and ad hoc Committee positions within the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association. At this time, no further action will be taken.