Aquatics Director Brendan McElroy fired 2 weeks after new Wilson pool opens

[Anonymous]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dc/2009/08/mcelroy_replaced_as_dc_aquatic.html?wprss=dc

McElroy Replaced as D.C. Aquatics Director

Brendan McElroy is being replaced as the aquatics director at the Department of Parks and Recreation, according to city officials.

Numerous community sources said Ximena Hartsock, the interim director of Parks and Recreation, fired McElroy on Wednesday. McElroy was unavailable to comment today. John Stokes, a spokesman for Park and Recreation, confirmed McElroy no longer works for the agency. But Stokes declined further comment, calling it a personnel issue.

McElroy, the former facilities director for the Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks, joined the agency late last year. When he was hired, then Parks Director Clark E. Ray said he came "highly qualified."

"Brendan McElroy has an unparalleled devotion to youth and community, a strong commitment to the sport of swimming and quantifiable program management results," Ray said in January.

McElroy is leaving the agency two weeks after District officials opened the massive Wilson Aquatic Center in Ward 3, raising questions about the timing of his departure.

Several residents who use city pools are rallying behind McElroy. They are blaming Hartsock and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) for forcing him out. Several have started email campaigns calling for McElroy to be rehired.

"I use aquatic facilities regularly, and it's only recently that I've seen changes in how pools are managed," said Guilermina Schinder, a member of a local swim team. "However, I know that having access to facilities in good condition hinges on having knowledgeable and responsible staff at the top who know the needs of DC residents as well as what needs to be done to have well-kept facilities for everyone's enjoyment."

By Anne Bartlett | August 21, 2009; 5:20 PM ET | Category: Tim Craig

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

Mcelroy is corrupted. He was part of a scheme of Baltimore swimmers using DC pools. He denied my son have access to the same number of practices other swimmers had access to. He privileged those who followed him from Baltimore. The DC team should be formed by DC swimmers, half of the team is made by MD, VA and BA residents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mcelroy is corrupted. He was part of a scheme of Baltimore swimmers using DC pools. He denied my son have access to the same number of practices other swimmers had access to. He privileged those who followed him from Baltimore. The DC team should be formed by DC swimmers, half of the team is made by MD, VA and BA residents.

Unfortunately, the DC Wave team that the DPR supports has been run for the last few years by a team of MD & VA residents. Speaking of corrupt, last season one of their main coaches couldn't pass a mandatory background check due to a gun possession charge. The parents of this group continue to support him financially as he continues to coach their children in DC pools.

You're son's swimming ability is probably questionable. McElroy is an excellent coach. I agree the DC team should be formed by well-trained DC swimmers.


*corrupted?* wtf

[Anonymous]

I coach 3 teams in the area and know McElroy well. He is a nice guy but has a mix reputation of allegations of sexual harrassment and corruption combined with great coaching ability. This is not unusual in the aquatics world but I can see why he is not director's material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're son's swimming ability is probably questionable. McElroy is an excellent coach. I agree the DC team should be formed by well-trained DC swimmers.

*corrupted?* wtf

People who live in "you're" houses should not throw "wtf"s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I coach 3 teams in the area and know McElroy well. He is a nice guy but has a mix reputation of allegations of sexual harrassment and corruption combined with great coaching ability. This is not unusual in the aquatics world but I can see why he is not director's material.

Hilarious. Terrified that he may get rehired? Great way to try to kill the competition. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're son's swimming ability is probably questionable. McElroy is an excellent coach. I agree the DC team should be formed by well-trained DC swimmers.

*corrupted?* wtf

People who live in "you're" houses should not throw "wtf"s.

Meant your. Thanks for catching that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're son's swimming ability is probably questionable. McElroy is an excellent coach. I agree the DC team should be formed by well-trained DC swimmers.

*corrupted?* wtf

People who live in "you're" houses should not throw "wtf"s.

Meant your. Thanks for catching that!

people in glass house should not throw stones or rocks he is a great Coach

[Anonymous]

"people in glass house should not throw stones or rocks he is a great Coach "

Just because he is a great coach does not mean he is a great acquatics director.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mcelroy is corrupted. He was part of a scheme of Baltimore swimmers using DC pools. He denied my son have access to the same number of practices other swimmers had access to. He privileged those who followed him from Baltimore. The DC team should be formed by DC swimmers, half of the team is made by MD, VA and BA residents.

Its funny how it is always the unhappy who coward out and write negative things about good people. Mr. McElroy is a great Coach and you need to give credit where it is due and stand up to the ones that you are really angry with like that Parent Booster Club. This is why we left the DC waves because you talk about Corrupt. How about a capitol C. They have been running that team for years and using swim fees for their pleasures. Those of you who stand around and let people discredit this man need to grow some and try to stand up for a change for what is right.
You talk about the team should be formed by DC Swimmers why is it that you voted in a Booster Club President that lives in VA and a treasure from Maryland if you hate the Baltimore Team so much !!!
are they not from Maryland?. Grow up and give credit where it is do!! Good Luck Mr.McElroy find a Team that wants better for there kids , or better yet find a team with a Booster Club that dose not LIE, CHEAT OR STEAL !

[Anonymous]

The DC Wave Parent Booster club can no longer charge swim families $300 DC resident/$350 non resident registration fees. The new fee is a flat $72 to cover your athlete's annual USA Swimming membership fee. If you have paid the larger amount, immediately request a refund for the difference. Their registration contract is invalid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous, please identify yourself or a source at DC Wave to confirm this information. I was told on Tuesday night that the registration fee includes: swim suit, swim cap, tickets to awards banquet, membership in USA Swimming, and several other things (probably registration at DC Parks and Rec, because there would be a charge for swim classes. .. . but I don't recall that being on the list). It made sense to me to write one check for all of these items. I have a check written but not turned in, and would feel like a fool saying that an anonymous critic on DCUrbanMom said your contract is invalid.

I look forward to some confirmed information.

Thx, probable parent of first year DC Wave swimmer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anonymous, please identify yourself or a source at DC Wave to confirm this information. I was told on Tuesday night that the registration fee includes: swim suit, swim cap, tickets to awards banquet, membership in USA Swimming, and several other things (probably registration at DC Parks and Rec, because there would be a charge for swim classes. .. . but I don't recall that being on the list). It made sense to me to write one check for all of these items. I have a check written but not turned in, and would feel like a fool saying that an anonymous critic on DCUrbanMom said your contract is invalid.

I look forward to some confirmed information.

Thx, probable parent of first year DC Wave swimmer

Contact Ximena Hartsock, Acting Director of DPR or her assistant Alex. She told the leadership of DC Wave to make the fee change because she felt that all of those items you listed were inflated. For example, DPR has a swim suit contact that will provide a better price than that $85 listed in Wave's registration materials. Also items like an office supplies charge of $25/30 per swimmer, coach supplies (timers, fees, etc.) of $25 per family and even the banquet & pizza parties fee and their laundry list of the rest not justified.

DPR pays the coaches on staff. They weren't given permission to charge that registration fee.

[Anonymous]

It is unfortunate that these issues both about about bredan and the booster are unsubstantiated. I do not know why Bredan was fired. the city hired him as the DPR Aquatics director. i have no problem with his coaching ability but his boss has the best view of his overall responsibilties to DPR(not swimmers/parents)and would be the best to determine/evaluate his performance. in areas of management, facilities, staff, programs.. customer service.. cost control...spending management.. budget.. planning. work load forecast...and a vast number of responsibilties that are to be expected in his job as DPR Aquatcs director for the nations capital....