One of the most successful coaches in the history of the University of Guelph is on a personal leave of absence while the school reviews information it received from past and current athletes he coached.
Cross-country and track and field coach Dave Scott-Thomas has been named Canadian university coach of the year 30 times since arriving at the U of G in 1997.
The U of G issued the following statement Wednesday:
"Dave Scott-Thomas, the head coach of the University of Guelph’s track and field program, is currently on a personal leave of absence. Recently, the University received information from past and current track and field athletes regarding their experiences on the team. We are actively and responsibly reviewing the information received in accordance with University processes and procedures. In accordance with the University’s policies and relevant privacy legislation, the University does not comment on such matters while those processes are underway.”
No information would be shared about the situation for now, said U of G spokesperson Lori Bona Hunt in an email.
He also founded the the Speed River Track and Field Club in 1998 and is listed as its head coach.
Scott-Thomas is still listed as head coach of the U of G cross-country and track and field teams.
Scott-Thomas has coached several Olympians over the years and many elite runners have relocated to Guelph to be coached by him.
He was elected to the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
“I also view this stuff as it’s a group recognition over a long period of time,” he told GuelphToday that night. “There’s no way one person could do what we’ve achieved so that’s all the staff and all the athletes.”
