Former MN Soccer Coach Gets Maximum Jail Sentence for Sexual Assault
The Star Tribune reported on Friday that former Elk River soccer coach Eric Hawkins was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison [the maximum sentence] following his January conviction for sexually assaulting a former youth player.
Hawkins was a long time coach at Three Rivers Soccer Association with MYSA and was also a Rockford High School boys coach. Hawkins had also spent time coaching a boys’ team at Robbinsdale Cooper High School.
The courageous young woman, who is now 18 and came forward with the information, told the Tribune after the verdict, “I felt I was speaking for girls who didn’t have a voice.” During her testimony she said it “was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
At the trial, the young woman testified that the assaults began at age 14 and took place while the coach drove her to soccer games. Hawkins had been a long time family friend.
After the conviction on Friday, the victim’s father told the Tribune that the family was relieved and that Hawkins had “stolen all of [the victim's] middle-school years.” Her mother said, “He’s like a poison. His reign of terror is over.”
Steve Zoubek, president of the Three Rivers Soccer Association, said that the case has caused “a distraction” with the club and said, “Now we can steer our focus back to the kids.”
Hawkins, who was removed as a coach from Rockford High School in January of 2008, had already been banned by MYSA for taunting and abusive sideline behavior during games.
Hawkins made slanderous statements towards MYSA after being removed. In turn MYSA sued Hawkins and won a defamation suit settlement of $220,000.00.
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Very sad story. I think this is a good time for clubs (and oganizations working with youth) to look at risk management policies. I am not sure of the specifics in this case, and certainly policies can only be effective if followed by all.
I know MYSA nor it’s clubs want coaches being alone with players at any time. Toward the end of my coaching years, if a kid was ever late getting picked up, I never felt totally comfortable waiting with just the player unless another player was there or a parent.
I think the key in this case as in so many was that the victim knew the coach and he was a friend of the family. A familiar ring to many a sexual abuse case.