Maggie Haney

Maggie Elaine Haney (born February 8, 1978) is a former American gymnastics coach, serving as the head coach at MG Elite Gymnastics, Inc in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. She is best known for coaching 2016 Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez and 2018 World champion Riley McCusker. She was suspended for eight years by USA Gymnastics in April 2020 due to her abusive conduct.

Maggie Haney
Born
Maggie Elaine Haney

(1978-02-08) February 8, 1978
United States
EducationLloyd V. Berkner High School
Alma materNorth Carolina State University
(1996–2000)[1]
EmployerMG Elite Gymnastics, Inc.
(2007–present)[2]
Home townGarland, Texas

Life and career

Haney began gymnastics at age three. She obtained an athletic scholarship at North Carolina State University, where she competed for the NC State Wolfpack women's gymnastics program from 1997 until 2000[3] and is credited with the most Perfect 10s in the program's history.[4] On November 22, 1998, while attending North Carolina State University, Haney hosted a party that ended in a fatal shooting.[5][6] She was charged with a misdemeanor alcohol violation and avoided prosecution.[6]

Haney began coaching in New Jersey in 2007.[4] Haney had at least one athlete from her program on the national team roster from 2013 to 2020. These athletes were Laurie Hernandez (2013-2016), Jazmyn Foberg (2014-2015), Riley McCusker (2016-2020), and Olivia Greaves (2018-2020).[7] Under Haney's coaching, MG Elite gymnasts were noted for their dance skills and artistry.[4]

Abusive conduct and suspension

USA Gymnastics officials first received abuse complaints against Haney in 2016.[8] In August 2019, it was announced Haney was under investigation by USA Gymnastics over allegations of verbal and emotional abuse.[9] At least a half dozen families filed complaints against Haney, alleging that she instructed injured gymnasts to remove casts and continue training, as well as screaming at and threatening gymnasts.[10] On February 3, 2020, her hearing on the allegations began. She was suspended from coaching minor athletes pending the outcome of the hearing.[10]

During the hearing, testimony was given regarding major injuries suffered by Haney's athletes. Her two most prominent students, Laurie Hernandez and Riley McCusker, both testified - Hernandez verbally, and McCusker through a written statement.[11] McCusker, a World champion trained by Haney, suffered rhabdomyolysis, a muscle condition linked to overtraining, in 2019.[8] The hearing lasted thirteen days over two months - February and March.[12] In March, USA Gymnastics suspended Victoria Levine, a coach and co-owner of MG Elite Gymnastics, due to allegations that she also was verbally abusive to athletes.[13]

After the hearing, further details of the testimony came to light. Haney pulled gymnasts by their hair, swore and screamed at them - often calling them "retarded" - and threatened to commit suicide if top gymnasts left her program.[12] Haney pressured gymnasts to remove casts and train or compete while injured.[10][12] Parents were not allowed in the gymnastic club during practices, and Haney warned gymnasts not to complain about her coaching methods to their parents. When gymnasts made mistakes in training, Haney kicked them out of the gym. Gymnasts hid their menstrual periods from Haney, who told them that menstruating was proof that they were too fat. Gymnasts reported suffering from anxiety, depression and eating disorders due to Haney's abuse.[12]

In one incident, Haney and her assistant coach Victoria Levine refused to spot a gymnast as she attempted a new skill on the uneven bars. The gymnast fell and struck her head against exposed concrete before landing in a foam pit. Haney and Levine laughed at the gymnast until they realized she was having seizures. The gymnast had two skull fractures.[12]

USA Gymnastics claimed that the hearing panel would release a decision on April 22, then said there was a calendar error, and the decision would be made public on April 29.[14] On April 29, Haney was suspended for eight years by USA Gymnastics for verbally and emotionally abusing gymnasts.[15][16][17] She is prohibited from coaching USA Gymnastics athletes during this period,[15][17] cannot contact the claimants, and cannot attend USA Gymnastics events unless accompanying her gymnast daughter.[11] She may reapply for membership after her eight-year suspension, but must go through an additional two-year probationary period and complete Safe Sport courses.[11][17][18]

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References
  1. https://www.alumni.ncsu.edu/show_module_fw2.aspx?sid=1209&gid=1001&control_id=8502&nologo=1&cvprint=1&page_id=5114&crid=0&viewas=user
  2. Axon, Rachel (May 9, 2016). "Gymnasts are good friends, competitors for spot in Rio". USA TODAY.
  3. "Former Wolfpack gymnast shares joy, stress with Team USA". WRALSportsFan.com. 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  4. Lauren (August 12, 2014). "MG Elite: Taking USA Gymnastics by Storm". The Gymternet.
  5. "More Charges Made in Connection with Death of N.C. State Student". WRAL.com. 1998-11-22. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  6. "N.C. STATE GYMNAST SENTENCED FOR ROLE IN SHOOTING DEATH". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  7. https://usagym.org/PDFs/Women/TOPs/History/82-Current_TOPS-National_Team.pdf
  8. "USA Gymnastics hearing on abuse charges against Maggie Haney opens Monday". Orange County Register. 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  9. Reid, Scott M. (20 August 2019). "Maggie Haney, coach of Olympic and world champion gymnasts, under investigation". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  10. "Maggie Haney suspended by USA Gymnastics". Orange County Register. 2020-02-04. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  11. Maggie Haney suspended 8 years by USA Gymnastics – Press Telegram
  12. "Special report: Families detail Maggie Haney's abuse of young gymnasts". Orange County Register. 2020-05-08. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  13. "USA Gymnastics suspends Victoria Levine, co-owner of Maggie Haney's NJ gym". Orange County Register. 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  14. "USA Gymnastics mistake in Maggie Haney abuse case leads to more frustration". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 2020-04-23. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  15. Hanna, Jason. "USA Gymnastics suspends coach Maggie Haney for 8 years". CNN. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  16. "USA Gymnastics suspends ex-Olympic coach Maggie Haney for eight years". The Guardian. Reuters. 2020-04-30. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  17. Allentuck, Danielle (2020-04-29). "Maggie Haney, Elite Gymnastics Coach, Is Suspended for 8 Years". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  18. Hanna, Jason. "USA Gymnastics suspends coach Maggie Haney for 8 years". CNN. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
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