Pop Warner President: words 'taken out of context' and 'his hands are tied' following investigation

On Thursday, Carson City Pop Warner President Austin Matthews issued a public statement regarding his previous statements given to Carson Now which led to calls for his resignation.

Matthews came under fire after he discussed the fact that convicted sex-offender Gabe Miles, who is married to the CCPW Cheer Coordinator, regularly attends games, practices, and even cross-state trips with the cheer team with support of the board. Miles admitted to and was convicted of having sex with a 14-year-old girl on several different occasions.

Matthews told Carson Now that the relationship was "consensual," and that parents could choose not to sign their children up if they were concerned for their safety.

Within his statement, he wrote that while he did say everything that had been published in the Carson Now articles (1) (2), his words were "cherry picked" and "taken out of context," but he did not elaborate further on which statements he was referring to.

In his statement Matthews also wrote that he has no power to remove anyone from Pop Warner fields, games, or practices, which is false. Prior to the issue of a sex offender regularly attending practices and games came to light, the CCPW board had already been in contact with both Carson City Parks and Recreation and the Carson City District Attorney's Office to discuss the situation.

CCPW was told by both Parks and Rec as well as the DA's office that because CCPW leases Governor's Field from the city, they have full authority to remove any person for any reason from the fields, as it technically constitutes a private event.

While Matthews' statement says that CCPW cannot background check all individuals and parents who come to games and practices, Matthews told Carson Now that he had already known about the sex offender status of Gabe Miles, along with the age of his victim, for several years. He said that he "obviously wouldn't pass a background check" even if a background check had been administered.

Matthews does not discuss whether or not he is still support of Gabe Miles, or if he still believes that his crime was "consensual." He also does not elaborate on whether or not his wife, Katie Miles, is still the Cheer Coordinator of CCPW.

Matthews' statement is as follows:

My Statement

Let me start off by saying, I understand. I understand the frustration, anger and passion that comes along with a topic of this nature. I have kids of my own and understand exactly why a lot of you are angry. If all I knew of myself was what was written in that disgusting article, I would honestly want to kick my own ass! Those comments were outrageous and stomach turning.

The truth is that I said every one of those words. Just not in the order or context they were put in that article. My words were cherry picked and rearranged to paint me as a monster for nothing more than a headline. It worked! Well done Carson Now! You have truly earned your status along side the tabloids at the check out stands. Look out National Enquirer! My only true mistake was trusting and talking to a reporter who had absolutely no intention on actually helping fix a broken system.

I am the president of a non-profit youth sport organization. The kind of control everyone is demanding that I have is impossible. We as a board at CCPW walk a fine line between the regulations set forth by National Pop Warner and the laws of Nevada. Yes, we do background checks on all of our rostered coaching staff members and all board members. We do not background check every parent or sibling that comes to the field. That’s just not feasible to even keep track of. Not to mention, there is a cost associated with each background check we run. It’s hard enough to raise the money to operate each year, but to add the possible thousands it would cost to background check everyone that comes through the gate? We wouldn’t have the funds to make it through the first season.

Good volunteers are so hard to find and getting harder to find every year. There are a lot of people that just drop their kids off and leave. Treating us as if we are a daycare? If you are really concerned about your child’s safety, then maybe stick around to watch your child? I’m sure they would also appreciate that. To all of you parents who constantly step up and help out, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! You are amazing! You are a major part in your child’s life and success and the success of CCPW.

The anger has been misplaced. Instead of attacking the people who selflessly donate their time to make sure your kids have the best experience possible, we should be attacking legislation. We need to change laws that allow sex offenders at public parks, schools or any other place where children can congregate. That’s where the change needs to happen. Until then, they are protected by these laws and they have the right to congregate based upon their tier of offense. Which for the bottom tiers, is pretty much anywhere. Our hands are unfortunately tied. That’s what I have been saying as an administrator of a youth organization because that is what I am held to.

As a father and a husband, I would tell you that I don’t want any sex offenders anywhere near our children! It’s disgusting and if something were to happen to one of my children, I would do something that would probably put me behind bars. If I were to witness something happen to any child, same outcome. We are all a bunch moms and dads out there, looking after all these kiddos. There are a bunch of eyes watching. As a parent myself, it’s not the “known” I am afraid of. I can keep my distance from that. I can see that danger coming. It’s the “unknown” that I am worried about. Unfortunately, no matter where we are, there is plenty of the unknown out there and we never see it coming.

It takes a village.

So again, I understand and sympathize with the emotions poured out over the last month or so. I’m not even mad at the comments made by concerned parents out there. I agree with you!

I am however very upset at the unwarranted threats that have come at not only myself, but towards my family and the CCPW board. These are good people donating a lot of time for your kids. I have offered many times to answer any questions that anyone might have, so that you could get it straight from me. A mature conversation with transparency and honesty just might help you understand what was actually said and done. I know a lot of you want answers. Why not ask and get those answers?

I’m the one person people are pointing at because I am the only one left that has been around for 20+ years in Carson Pop Warner. I’m the only one left as volunteers, coaches and board members have come and gone over the years. I feel that is a good thing! You as a parent have someone to point to for the answers, as opposed to a revolving door where the information comes and goes with no answer. Just my opinion.

I know there has been a lot said about me bullying or pushing my agenda on people. It’s just not true. Come to our board meetings and see for yourself. You may have something great to offer? Help us keep the program safer for these kids. Make your decision based upon fact, not based on the rumors of a few disgruntled people. They have things they aren’t telling you, I promise.

Give me a call. Ask me the questions and get your answers. You don’t have to like my answers and you don’t even have to like me afterwards, but at least you will be able to make that decision based on facts you now have.

I was told that nobody would read this, but I had to say something. I’ve been too quiet in my opinion.

I do have one apology to make. I apologize to my family. You are the most amazing and supportive people I know. You have sacrificed so much time with me over the last 24 years because of my involvement with the youth and you have been dragged through the mud along side me. Still you support my decision to stay and finish out my last year. Amazing! I love you all!

I want to thank all of the people in the community that have reached out in support. You immediately saw through the smoke and came to my side in support knowing the person I really am. I am forever grateful to have all of you in my life!

To the rest……well honestly I wish you and your families nothing but the best as well. Hopefully some of you reach out for some truth, but if not that’s ok too.

To the kiddos out there that just want to play football or cheer, we are still here for you!! We are looking forward to seeing you for the 2023 season.

To date, regional Pop Warner leadership is still refusing to respond to any communication sent by Carson Now including phone calls and messages.

On Tuesday, CCPW issued a statement saying they had been released from their 30 day "pause" after an investigation by National and Regional Pop Warner. They said that an official statement would be released by those organizations, but to date, nothing has been released regarding the investigation.

Carson Now spoke to individuals interviewed for the original story, and none have been contacted as part of the investigation. It is not known what the investigation consisted of or if any individuals were interviewed.