Coaches, players react to scandal

At least three Newport Harbor High boys’ water polo players were among the Orange County players whose photos were unknowingly taken at games and posted on gay pornographic Web sites, one of the players said Wednesday.

Several of these Web sites, including boycollector.net and posters at the forum whitespeedos.com, had been posting non-action pictures of boys’ water polo players. The Orange County District Attorney’s office is looking into whether laws were broken when a UC Irvine police dispatcher allegedly posted such photos on at least one of the sites (see “Man accused of posting teens’ pictures on porn site,” Page A1).

Sailors Coach Jason Lynch said he was alerted in November that one of his players was on one of the sites, and he investigated but didn’t find the picture. But, he said, it has been a problem for Newport Harbor since the fall of 2006, when a team parent titled a group of online team pictures “Speedo Shots.”

The album got 10,000 hits because of that title, Lynch said. He added that it was troubling to him that all the athletes were doing was playing their sport.

“The kids are being photographed for wearing normal water polo gear,” Lynch said. “It’s not like they’re going out of their way to wear something racy. Water polo players wear Speedos.”

Lynch said the Newport Harbor Aquatics board is looking into getting more people assigned as deck managers, to look out for suspicious activity around the Sailors’ pool during games.

“We have an extra burden because we frequently host a showcase for the [Sunset] League,” Lynch said. “We have six teams there, which means more unknown people.”

Newport Harbor has also instituted a waiver policy, which states people who take photographs at games and sell them online need permission from the subjects’ parents.

Corona del Mar Coach Barry O’Dea said he didn’t know of any Sea Kings posted on any of the gay porn Web sites, although he investigated one site and saw pictures from the CdM pool deck. O’Dea said that the school is considering requiring passes to shoot pictures at the pool.

“At UC Irvine, they have signs that say there’s no photography allowed without permission,” O’Dea said. “Our whole request is just that the police department and the school do whatever they can.”

But significant First Amendment issues have also been raised. It is unclear whether those who have been found to be posting such pictures can be charged with any crime, since they took pictures at a public event and can claim freedom of speech.

Lynch, who has been taking a Sports Law course through Concordia University, said he understands that there’s no law against posting the pictures.

“Anybody can come to a public event and photograph it,” he said. “They’re public Web sites. They’re not making money off it.”

Both Costa Mesa boys’ water polo coach Justin Taylor and Estancia Coach John Carpenter said they were unaware of any Mustangs or Eagles on the site.

“It really is disturbing,” Taylor said. “The only thing we can do is that we’ve spoken to the students and some of the parents about it. There’s not much else we can do but keep a watchful eye.

“It’s just wrong. These are obviously underage boys, kids who are just trying to go out there and play a sport. And it’s out there for everyone to see. I guess with the Internet comes the loss of anonymity.”

Newport Harbor High senior Myles Christian, the goalie for the Sailors’ CIF championship team last fall, said he’s unsure what could be done to eliminate the threat.

“It’s creepy,” Christian said. “I guess there’s nothing you can do about it. I guess you should just keep your eye out to see if there’s a weird-looking guy or device taking your picture. If you see that, just report it.”

A press release issued by USA Water Polo, Inc. stated that event photographers are asked to register prior to shooting games, as well as show official media credentials. It also states that photos taken by players’ family members are for personal use only.

“We deplore the actions of individuals that have gone against the nature in which our sporting events are intended,” the release said.

Ted Newland, the legendary UC Irvine men’s water polo coach who also began the Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor high school water polo programs in the 1950s and early ’60s, said it is a disturbing situation. But it’s not one that he chooses to dwell on, he added.

“I don’t know,” Newland said. “There’s just a lot of weird people out in the world these days. What can you say?”

What many in the local water polo community are now saying is that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

“I think vigilance is the best thing,” Carpenter said. “You have to be aware.”

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at [email protected].