The Gator Swim Club's head coach is behind bars on child sex charges.

Bryan Woodward, 29, allegedly used a computer to seduce and lure a child and then traveled to meet that child.

"It keeps you from wanting to have one-on-one contact with coaches," said Katherine Weitz, a High Springs resident and mom of three.

According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, Woodward was arrested on Monday, two hours south of Gainesville in Kissimmee, Florida.

He's been terminated as head coach of the Gator Swim Club, a USA Swimming sanctioned club not affiliated with the University of Florida, but it's young swimmers do stroke in the same waters as Gator athletes.

The club's swimmers are in the pool year-round, and their main practice facility is at the University of Florida's O'Connell Center.

USA Swimming released this statement, adding Woodward's background checks were clear and up to date:

"It is our understanding that Bryan Woodward has been terminated from Gator Swim Club following an arrest this week. Our Athlete Protection has initiated USA Swimming's internal review and disciplinary process.

USA Swimming holds nothing higher than the safety and well-being of its athletes and members, and for that reason has a best-in-industry Athlete Protection program. The program includes a Code of Conduct governing all members, mandatory background checks and athlete protection education for all non-athlete members, pre-employment screening of all new coaches by clubs, a public listing of individuals suspended for life and a reporting and review system to address complaints of misconduct.

This instance, as with any instance involving sexual misconduct, will be dealt with through the proper channel in order to foster safe environments for our athletes."

Jamie R. Olsen
USA Swimming