Former North Kingstown High basketball coach Aaron Thomas, 57, has publicly apologized in court, following a lengthy and controversial chapter that has also taken Rhode Island’s athletic community by storm.
Thomas, who was once a respected figure in local sports, said the “naked fat tests” he conducted over the decades on athletes were never intended to harm them.
“I never intended this testing program to harm, to hurt or humiliate anyone, my sole purpose was to provide the athletes with a competitive advantage. I deeply regret the harm I caused, and I understand the seriousness of the matter. Please accept my sincere apology for my conduct.” the coach said.
The coach was accused of performing body fat composition tests on hundreds of male-student athletes, and even asked them to remove underwear during.
Many argued the practice was humiliating and went too far beyond the legitimate limits or laws.
Some students have also come forward to describe the experience, and have even claimed the coach touched their upper thighs.
“I was targeted because I was an underdeveloped boy who happened to love basketball. My love for the game was a way for this man to watch my nude body develop,” said a former student who was coached and tested by Aaron Thomas.
Another student added, “Fat testing caused harm. It cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars just to be able to look at these events without the trauma response or rage against my perpetrators.”
Thomas Won’t Serve Time In Jail
Thomas was convicted of two counts of misdemeanor battery at trial. However, he was not guilty of second-degree sexual assault and child molestation. In that case, he could have faced up to two years behind bars.
A student, who was the first witness to testify in the trial, wrote, “I trusted my teachers. I trusted Aaron Thomas. I bought a lie – that although what was happening didn’t feel right, I was to submit, and hold my voice, only to learn that I was duped by someone who couldn’t stop himself for creating reasons to touch me and countless other boys in ways we should have never been touched.”
He will not serve any jail time, but will face a probation sentence, and will be subject to a court-imposed condition, a no-contact order with numerous victims, and will not be registered as a sex offender.
Many former school athletes, parents, and individuals are not happy with the verdict. Few even suggested the two-year sentence was also less for the offensive misconduct.
One individual said, “Perv. Throw him in jail, fine him, but before that, make him walk across the state naked.” Another one added, “Too little too late, trying to save his but. He knew it was wrong the whole time.” This certainly clarifies the rage that normal Americans are going through, not to mention the victims and their parents.
In response to the case, North Kingstown High School, which Thomas coached for three decades before retiring in 2021, will need to review and strengthen their protocols for student health assessments to prevent similar cases in the future.
