B.C. lacrosse coach convicted of assault dropped from sport’s national hall of fame | CBC News

The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame has removed the membership of Rick Mang, a B.C. coach convicted this month for assaulting a player.

Mang, who was inducted into the hall of fame in 2017 as a former goaltender, was sentenced to 18 months probation last week for an incident that occurred in Port Coquitlam, B.C., in 2022. 

After his sentencing, the hall of fame said it would conduct an investigation to decide whether to remove him. 

“We reviewed the materials released publicly Oct. 11, as well as other materials, resulting in the board of directors unanimously removing said member in a special meeting held on Oct. 16,” the organization told CBC News in a statement Thursday.

“We are very appreciative of the courage and conviction of people who are attacked, and the strength and bravery it takes to hold those responsible for criminal behaviour accountable.”

CBC News has contacted Mang and his lawyer for comment.

Kim Shore, a former gymnast and advocate for safety in sports, called Mang’s removal a “significant win” that could set a precedent for future action.

“It feels like an action that’s going to show that sport organizations are ready to start protecting those of us in the community who may have been vulnerable in the past, children and athletes that might be vulnerable in the future,” Shore said in an interview.

The player who was assaulted is a woman in her 20s who cannot be identified due to a publication ban.

She told CBC News she’s grateful to those who’ve supported her and advocated on her behalf but she also questions why it took so long to remove Mang. 

“It is clear that this decision would not have been made without public pressure,” she said.

Statement of facts

Mang, 59, pleaded guilty in April to one count of assault.

He was initially charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of assault in October 2023 but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of assault following discussions between his defence team and Crown counsel, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service. 

He has been sentenced to 18 months probation.

According to an agreed statement of facts, in July 2022, Mang was “visibly intoxicated” when his hands slid down one the player’s back and touched her buttocks. He also hugged the woman from the side and from behind and brushed up against her breasts, the statement says.

It says Mang called the young player “sugar,” “mama,” and his “lacrosse wife” and made a comment about his “lacrosse stick,” which the woman interpreted as a reference to his penis.

During part of his probation, Mang must abide by a number of conditions, including a 6 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew. He also must complete 40 hours of community service and a forensic sex offender program.

Efforts to remove Mang

A committee of coaches with the B.C. Lacrosse Association (BCLA) conducted a disciplinary hearing for Mang in August 2022, a month after the assault. CBC News obtained a copy of the findings of the hearing.

In it, the committee ordered the immediate removal of Mang’s coaching credentials and suspended him from “any and all” coaching with BCLA until 2027. 

It also said it would report the incident to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame to recommend that it review Mang’s induction.

The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame was notified in December 2022 and provided with a copy of the committee’s decision, according to emails obtained by CBC News.

Nearly two years later, the assault victim said she had hoped action would have been taken sooner.

“This lengthy process only caused me more stress and anxiety, especially when all the necessary information was available,” she said.

The hall of fame’s policy, put in place in 2021, states memberships may be revoked “if it’s determined that a member’s actions have brought dishonour to the organization,” adding that the decision is “based on evidence and guided by the principle of fairness.”

It said the conditions for removal include if a member has been convicted of an indictable offence or if the conduct of the person “constitutes a significant departure from generally recognized standards of public behaviour which is seen to undermine the credibility, integrity, or relevance of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.”

Lacrosse Hall of Fame Chair Matthew Black said in an interview Friday afternoon that his organization wanted to get as much information as possible before revoking Mang’s membership, adding that this is the first time a lacrosse hall of famer has been removed.

“This is all brand new to us and we will review our process after the fact because we want to make sure that we learn whatever lessons that we’re missing,” he said.

Mang is suspended by the BCLA from coaching until Aug. 16, 2027 but BCLA board of directors Gerry Van Beek told CBC News that Mang will not be automatically able to begin coaching after that and will have to apply for reinstatement.