Dear Parents and Families,

On behalf of the Wilshire Athletic Association Board, we are writing to inform you of a serious matter involving one of our coaches.

It was recently brought to our attention that, due to an unintentional lapse in our volunteer-led screening process, a coach who participated in our basketball program last season and baseball program this season was not fully processed through the CORI background check system. We have since learned that this individual is a registered sex offender. Upon this discovery, the individual was immediately removed from all volunteer roles.

While there have been no reports of inappropriate conduct, this situation represents a clear violation of Wilshire Athletic Association policy. We have confirmed that the offense did not involve a minor and occurred in a previous workplace involving another adult.

Wilshire has proudly served the community since 1959, and the safety and well-being of our players remain our highest priority. We are also proud to be one of the few youth sports organizations in the region that proactively conducts CORI background checks on all volunteers. This commitment reflects our dedication to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for every child.

We deeply regret this oversight and are taking immediate and comprehensive action to strengthen our CORI screening procedures to ensure this does not happen again.

Effective immediately, we are implementing the following enhanced safeguards:

• CORI background checks will be conducted for all coaches—head and assistant—as well as
family liaisons prior to the start of each season.
• A dedicated CORI compliance team will oversee the verification process to ensure accuracy and accountability.
• Mandatory coaching sessions will be held pre-season, mid-season, and post-season to
ensure proper training, evaluation, and adherence to all safety protocols.
• No coach will be assigned to a team until their background check has been fully completed,
reviewed, and approved.

We understand the concern this situation may cause and want to assure you that we are taking every necessary step to reinforce the integrity of our programs and uphold the trust you place in us. Our commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for all children remains unwavering.

Sincerely,

The Board of the Wilshire Athletic Association

Calling all seniors!

Wilshire Scholarship

Wilshire is accepting applications for our scholarships. We are giving away two(2) $500 scholarships to be awarded to one female and one male Wilshire athlete. Please write an essay detailing how Wilshire has affected your life. Deadline is February 28, 2025.

1. The Wilshire Athletic Association will award two (2) scholarships annually to one (1) male and one (1) female. The Board will determine the amount of the scholarships for that given year. They will be awarded at one of the end of season banquets. This money is to be used for post educational purposes.

2. Applicants will be required to apply for the scholarship in writing to the Wilshire Athletic Association email: wilshireaa1@gmail.com or P.O. Box 80004, Springfield, MA 01138-0004, by February 28th of each year. Please tell us how Wilshire has affected your life.

3. Applicants must have played at least three (3) seasons in baseball, softball, soccer, flag football and/or basketball for the Wilshire Athletic Association.

4. The Wilshire Athletic Association Board of Directors will select the recipients from the pool of qualified applicants. Recipients must submit a letter of acceptance before the appropriate banquet. The recipient or a representative must be present at the banquet to receive the scholarship.

5. Applicants may apply annually; however, the scholarship may be received only once.

6. All scholarship money is raised from sources other than our registration fees.

7. The Board of Directors has the discretion to deviate from the criteria to accommodate the applicants for the given year. (i.e., may award scholarships to both female if no male applicants, etc.)