In addition to the development of our hockey players and figure skaters' enjoyment of ice sports, the safety and protection of our participants is central to Lake Erie Sports Alliance ‘s goals. Lake Erie Sports Alliance adheres to USA Hockey’s SafeSport program and US Figure Skating’s SkateSafe program as a means to help protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of misconduct, including emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing. To help prevent abuse or misconduct from occurring in our locker rooms, the Lake Erie Sports Alliance has adopted the following locker room policy. This policy is designed to maintain personal privacy as well as to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms. 

At LECOM Sports Park, there are 11 locker rooms available for use. Locker rooms 1-4 have access to the handicap restroom in the hallway between locker rooms 1 and 3. Locker rooms 5 & 6 have access to our public restrooms; Locker room 6 is also equipped with a handicap restroom stall and a single use shower stall. Locker rooms 7 & 8 are equipped with multiple restroom stalls & shower stalls. Locker rooms 9, 10, & 11 have access to public restrooms. 

*We only have use of 8 our locker rooms. locker rooms 5, 8, and 10 are tenant spaces.*

 Participants in our programs may also occasionally or regularly travel to play games or competitions at other arenas, and those locker rooms, rest rooms and shower facilities will vary from location to location. L.E.S.A.’s team organizers and coaching staff will attempt to provide information on the locker room facilities in advance of games away from our home arena. At arenas for which you are unfamiliar, parents should plan to have extra time and some flexibility in making arrangements for their child to dress, undress and shower if desired. 

Locker Room Monitoring 

Lake Erie Sports Alliance has predictable and limited use of locker rooms and changing areas. All teams/participants are allowed in their assigned locker rooms 30 minutes before & following practices, games, and competitions. This allows for direct and regular monitoring of locker room areas. While constant monitoring inside of locker rooms and changing areas might be the most effective way to prevent problems, we understand that this would likely make some players uncomfortable and may even place our staff at risk for unwarranted suspicion. 

Our facility’s staff will conduct a sweep of the locker rooms and changing areas before players arrive, and if the coaches are not inside the locker rooms, either a coach or voluntary team locker room monitors (each of which has been screened) are required to be directly outside of the assigned locker rooms/changing areas during periods of use, and leave the doors open only when adequate privacy is still possible, so that only participants (coaches, players, and skaters), approved team/competition personnel and family members are permitted in the locker room. Team/competition personnel will also secure the locker room appropriately during times when the team is on the ice. 

Parents in Locker Rooms 

Except for players/skaters in the younger age groups (ages 11 and under), we strongly discourage parents from entering locker rooms unless it is truly necessary. If a player/skater needs assistance with his or her uniform or gear, if the player/skater is or may be injured, or a player/skater’s disability warrants assistance, then we ask that parents let the coach know beforehand that he or she will be helping the player/skater. 

Naturally, with our youngest age groups it is necessary for parents to assist the players/skaters in getting dressed. We encourage parents to teach their players/skaters as young as possible how to get dressed so that players will learn as early as possible how to get dressed independently. In circumstances where parents are permitted in the locker room, coaches are permitted to ask that the parents leave for a short time before the game and for a short time after the game so that the coaches may address the players/skaters. As players/skaters get older, the coach may in his or her discretion prohibit parents from a locker room. 

Mixed Gender Teams 

Some of our teams/programs consist of both male and female players/skaters. It is important that the privacy rights for all our players/skaters are given consideration and appropriate arrangements made. When possible, the Lake Erie Sports Alliance will have the male and female players dress/undress in separate locker rooms and then convene in a single locker room before the game/practice/competition or team meeting. Once the game or practice is finished, the players may come to one locker room for a team meeting and then the male and female players/skaters proceed to their separate locker rooms to undress and shower, if available. If separate locker rooms are not available, then the players/skaters will take turns using the locker room to change. We understand that these arrangements may require that players arrive earlier or leave later to dress, however we believe that this is the most reasonable way to accommodate and respect all of our players/skaters. 

Cell Phones and Other Mobile Recording Devices 

Cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras, are not permitted to be used in the locker rooms. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room.  

Prohibited Conduct and Reporting 

Lake Erie Sports Alliance prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport and US Figure Skating’s SkateSafe Handbooks. Players/Skaters, LECOM Sports Park (BBT Hockey LLC) employees or volunteers affiliated with the Lake Erie Sports Alliance may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these locker room policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse or that violates the USA Hockey SafeSport & US Figure Skating’s SkateSafe Policies. Reports of any actual or suspected violations, please contact the following:  

USA Hockey: SafeSport@usahockey.org or 1-800-888-4656 

US Figure Skating’s SkateSafe: skatesafe@usfigureskating.org or call 719-635-5200, option 6 

Failure to adhere to our Locker Room Policy will result in immediate removal from the premises with possible suspension or permanent ban from our facility. Our staff reserves the right to question, monitor and remove anyone they feel is acting in a suspicious or unprofessional manner.