The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame has opened an investigation to determine whether to revoke the membership status of a B.C. lacrosse coach recently convicted of assaulting a player.
Rick Mang, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 as a former goaltender, was sentenced to 18 months probation earlier this week for the incident that occurred in Port Coquitlam in 2022.
“We at the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame express our sincerest sympathies to all victims of crime and abuse,” Hall of Fame chair Mathew Black wrote in a statement to CBC News on Friday.
“We are actively looking for information and evidence to help in our investigation, and once we have the facts, a decision will be made promptly regarding this individual’s status. We continue to seek formal evidence.”
The Hall of Fame said its process is still in the “initial phase” and doesn’t know when its investigation will be completed.
CBC News has also contacted Mang and his lawyer for comment but did not hear back by deadline.
A Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Famer and coach has been sentenced to 18 months probation for assaulting one of his players. The victim says she came forward to protect other athletes and raise concerns over how her complaint was handled. Yasmine Ghania has this investigation.
2022 assault
Mang, 59, 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.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Mang was “visibly intoxicated” when his hands slid down one of his 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 woman, in her 20s, cannot be identified due to a publication ban.
The statement of facts 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. to 6 a.m. curfew. He also must complete 40 hours of community service and a forensic sex offender program.
Mang is also suspended from coaching until 2027, according to Lacrosse Canada’s discipline list.
Investigation not necessary: safe sport advocate
Kim Shore, a former gymnast and advocate for safety in sports, says she doesn’t believe the Hall of Fame needs to conduct an investigation, given the court outcome.
“I find the reluctant actions of the Hall of Fame to be really appalling. These are no longer allegations. [Mang] pleaded guilty to assault. This coach has admitted that he did the things that he was accused of,” she said in an interview.
“So what more do victims and survivors have to do to be believed and to be taken seriously?”
Shore said it should be an automatic policy for Halls of Fame to remove members convicted of such crimes.