Hall of Fame Mass. swim coach banned by USA Swimming

BOSTON — A famed New England swim coach has been banned by USA Swimming over accusations of sexual misconduct.

Joe Bernal, the former owner of Bernal's Gators Swim Club and former coach of the Harvard University swim team, has been banned for violating USA Swimming's code of conduct.

Bernal allegedly violated codes relating to sexual behavior with swimmers.

"I don't think they are accusation. USA Swimming would not ban somebody unless they had proof and a victim came forward,” Brent Rutemiller, the publisher of Swimming World Magazine, said

Gator Swim Club issued a statement noting the club had been purchased from Bernal in January and no longer has a relationship with the coach.

"The recent decision by USA Swimming to permanently ban Joe Bernal has no bearing on the Gator Swim Club, which was formed on January 27, 2016, when the assets of Bernal’s Gator Swim Club were purchased from Bernal Gators Swim Club of New England, Inc.  Gator Swim Club has no relationship to Joe Bernal.  He is not employed by the Club or involved in any of its operations."

Bernal was inducted into the American Swim Coaches Association hall of Fame in Sept. 2015.

In addition to his ban from USA Swimming, the American Swim Coaches Association revoked Bernal's membership.

Cox Media Group