Adios bitches, gets coach fired..

By Philip Hersh

An Olympic assistant coach who wrote an offensive sign-off in an email letter to members of the U.S. women’s Under-21 field hockey team was fired Monday by USA Field Hockey.
    But Nick Conway, 38, was allowed to be head coach of that team in the Pan American Junior Championship that ended Saturday.
   In response to complaints about the “Adios bitches” sign-off that Conway used in a Sept. 6 email, USA Field Hockey executive director Steven Locke said in a Sept. 13 email to those who complained that both legal time constraints and expressions of support from team members led the federation to keep Conway in the position for the Pan Am tournament.
   The Tribune has obtained copies of the Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 correspondence as well as an email apology from Conway, who was named women’s national team assistant coach in December, 2011 and filled that role at the London Olympics.  Prior to that, he had been the men’s national team head coach for six years.
   The women’s Under-21 team won the bronze medal at the Junior Pan American tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico.
  Chicago Tribune

Nick Conway's full apology

Hi Everyone,

Please accept my most sincere and absolute apologies for the sign off in my email from earlier today regarding the addition of Rachel Dawson to the u21 management team.

My intent with this sign off was to reference some moments of hilarity within our group from our training camp together in Maryland, August 16-22.  It was an attempt to have you giggle to yourself, to provide a mild piece of levity and most importantly to connect our group ahead of our approaching tournament.  It was a reference to the gift that you most graciously gave to me on the final morning following the conclusion of the training camp.

It is clear that this commentary without context is inappropriate and causes offense.  If this commentary caused you any offense whatsoever I sincerely and unreservedly apologize.  Please understand that that was never my intention.  My singular goal is to assist our u21 team with qualification to the Junior World Cup and I would never deliberately jeopardize this objective.

Once again, my apologies, to everyone.  

Sincerely yours,

Nick.

The original email

Hi Everyone,

I'm absolutely delighted to announce that dual Olympian Rachel Dawson will be joining the u21 management team for the Junior Pan American Championships in a video technology and coaching capacity.

This completes our management team following the recent departure of Katelyn Nerbonne from USA Field Hockey (Katelyn was originally in position as the video support staff).

Manager:  Dingo (Beijing 2008)
Head Coach:  Nick (London 2012)
Assistant Coach:  Shellie (Beijing 2008)
Video Coach:  Rachel (Beijing 2008, London 2012)
Trainer:  Katie (London 2012)

We are a stronger staff for the addition of Rachel Dawson.  If you don't already now Rach, you guys will absolutely love her.

Welcome Rach, you will love this group.  They have a unique fun loving energy that I know you will thrive on.

Safe travels to everyone on Saturday / Sunday.

Adios bitches,

Nick.