Broomstones Curling Club prides itself as a vibrant community of curlers where we believe that respect, trust, safety, camaraderie, and "the Spirit of Curling" should hold true at every level of the sport.
It is therefore imperative for us to state our position regarding the October 3rd release of Sally Yates’ “Report of the Independent Investigation to the U.S. Soccer Federation Concerning Allegations of Abusive Behavior and Sexual Misconduct in Women’s Professional Soccer” (“the Report”) and how it relates to USA Curling’s CEO, Jeff Plush, who was commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League (“NWSL”) during the relevant timeframe.
The Broomstones community is deeply concerned by the contents of the Report, not only with respect to the reprehensible abuse and misconduct that was documented, but also with Plush's actions and inactions that perpetuated that behavior. The emotional and physical safety of athletes, staff and coaches is paramount in any sport. Given the abusive behavior that went unchecked during the period of Jeff Plush’s leadership of the NWSL, and Plush’s unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation as documented in the Report, we do not have confidence that Plush is able to ensure this safety as a priority for all curlers in the United States.
Based upon the available information from the Report, we demand accountability and call for the immediate removal of Jeff Plush as CEO of USA Curling.
Additionally, on October 13, 2022, the USCA Board issued a press release that claims they conducted their own investigation after the Report was released and concluded that they were “confident in Jeff’s ability to continue as an effective leader of the organization.” Given the USCA Board’s endorsement of Jeff Plush despite the findings of the Report, we no longer trust the judgment of the USCA Board and question their ability to effectively lead the organization at this time. We insist on a complete and transparent disclosure of the investigative and decision-making process used by the USCA Board to come to their seemingly incongruous decision.
In the absence of any new information, and if our requirements are not met expeditiously, Broomstones is prepared to rescind all prior commitments with the USCA and reconsider our ongoing relationship with the USCA until confidence is restored.
- The members of Broomstones Curling Club, Wayland, Massachusetts
(PDF Version of this statement)
