Families left at midnight as YMCA Lynchburg swim coaches let go

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – Families with the YMCA of Central Virginia’s Lynchburg swim group say they have been blindsided this weekend after studying their coaches are now not employed, leaving greater than 200 swimmers with questions simply as summer time season ramps up.

Parents and swimmers say the announcement got here abruptly, proper after a significant competitors, canceling upcoming meets and leaving many unsure about what comes subsequent, and proper as these youngsters begin the recruitment course of for faculty.

For many households, the YMCA swim group is greater than a sport, it’s a second residence.

“I’ve been swimming for a little over decade now and I just finished my 9th season with the Y,” stated Luke Hottle, a swimmer.

Luke Hottle says his coach has been a continuing in his life.

“Basically my entire swimming career he’s been there he’s helped lead me and he’s helped shape me into who I am today,” stated Hottle.

That’s why he says this weekend got here as a shock.

Families obtained an e-mail stating quote: “our swim team leaders’ employment has ended, effective Saturday, April 4, 2026.”

They say it got here simply hours after getting back from Y Nationals.

“Coach Ryan has coached not just Luke but his older brother, I believe it’s been over a decade. But I think most importantly Ryan has been there to help shape these swimmers into the young adults That they are,” stated Dani Hottle, Luke’s mother.

Families say the sudden change is impacting extra than simply routines, it might have an effect on athletes’ futures.

“The swim meets, that’s how our kids get times, my initial reaction is this will be detrimental to the athletes like my son who are in the middle of the recruiting process. I mean I don’t want to be selfish but I was like how is this going to affect my kid and his aspirations to swim in college,” stated Dani.

With summer time meets now canceled, many households are left with out solutions, and a wavering belief in a group that after felt like residence.

“I understand financial and HR shifts happen all the time in non-profits but the manner in which this was communicated was unacceptable and I don’t know that that trust can be rebuilt,” stated Dani.

In an announcement, the YMCA says the swim program just isn’t canceled and stays a precedence:

We perceive how upsetting and unsure this second has been for swimmers and households who care deeply concerning the YMCA aggressive swim program. The ardour mirrored in latest outreach underscores how significant this program is to our neighborhood.

The aggressive swim program (LY Swim Team) has not been cancelled. Competitive swimming stays an vital a part of our mission, and our dedication to supporting athletes and households has not modified.

As the group works via a management transition, we’re taking the time essential to thoughtfully develop the trail ahead. This contains planning summer time coaching alternatives and evaluating how greatest to strategy competitors and meets given the timing of this transition.

While we can’t touch upon particular person personnel issues, our focus is on stability, clear communication, and making certain a robust, sustainable future for the swim program.

Our precedence stays with our athletes, offering a protected, supportive, and values-based setting the place they will proceed to develop.

Families inform me they’re listening to help from different groups throughout the area, however regardless of the uncertainty, many hope to stick with the Y.

Families say they’re nonetheless ready for clearer communication from the YMCA as this transition unfolds, they usually’re hoping this system can get well and resume within the fall.

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