Scandals & Feuds ·
Panel’s abuse findings brought Maggie Haney an eight-year suspension
In April 2020, USA Gymnastics sanctioned the MG Elite coach after hearings that included testimony from Laurie Hernandez and a written complaint from Riley McCusker. Haney’s attorney challenged the fairness of the process.
On April 29, 2020, USA Gymnastics announced an immediate eight-year suspension for Maggie Haney, the New Jersey coach whose athletes included Olympic champion Laurie Hernandez and world champion Riley McCusker. An independent hearing panel found that Haney had verbally and emotionally abused gymnasts and violated the organization’s Code of Ethical Conduct, Safe Sport Policy and other rules. The sanction barred her from membership and from coaching USA Gymnastics athletes or in its member clubs.
Haney was a coach and co-owner of MG Elite. Hernandez testified against her longtime coach during the hearings, and McCusker submitted a written complaint. The three-member panel consisted of an attorney, a club owner and a former national team athlete.
According to a confidential ruling obtained by the Southern California News Group, the panel found that Haney “engaged in severe aggressive behavior toward a minor that included teasing and ridiculing that was intended to control and diminish another person.” It also found that she failed “to provide a safe, positive and healthy environment with a culture of trust and empowerment.”
SCNG reported allegations from families that Haney screamed and swore at gymnasts, ridiculed them and shamed their bodies. Five parents said she pulled gymnasts by their hair off the balance beam or out of foam pits. One mother said Haney pulled her daughter to her feet by her hair after the girl fell on the bars during a leotard-company photo shoot. The panel findings quoted in the report did not separately address each alleged episode.
Injuries were another source of concern. According to interviews, testimony and documents reviewed by SCNG, Haney pressured gymnasts to remove boot casts or other protective medical devices so they could train or compete. Two parents said some families began asking doctors for permanent plaster casts on their daughters’ injured limbs so the casts could not be removed at practice or competitions.
The suspension prohibited Haney from contacting the gymnasts and family members who had testified against her. After eight years, she could apply for reinstatement by submitting proof that she had completed specified Safe Sport courses; if reinstated, she would face two years of probation.
Haney’s attorney, Russell Prince, challenged the fairness of the proceeding. “The ruling is regrettable but in no way surprising considering the heavy-handed nature of the investigative and hearing process,” he told the Southern California News Group when the sanction was announced. “There is no fundamental fairness to the manner in which these matters are resolved.”