The Boston College swimming and diving team’s motion to reinstate its season after hazing allegations was denied in court on Thursday.
“Although the court acknowledges the personal pains reported by the plaintiffs resulting from the loss of their diving and swimming team association, they have failed to show that the defendants acted unlawfully,” Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Diane Freniere wrote in her ruling, reported by WCVB in Boston.
Boston College placed the team on indefinite suspension on Sept. 20 after the school determined there were “credible reports of hazing” including excessive underage drinking.
“We are very pleased with the judge’s ruling, which affirms our position regarding the gravity of these allegations,” Boston College officials said in a statement. “In the meantime, we will continue with our University investigation and conduct process in accordance with our established protocols.”
The school released an affidavit about the investigation, reported by WCVB in Boston.
“The initial investigation confirmed that hazing involving power dynamics and excessive consumption of alcohol in fact had occurred,” Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Corey Kelly said in the affidavit. “The freshmen were given bags to wear around their necks for vomit and a number of them did vomit. Other students passed out.”
Lawyers for the swim team claimed the original message by the school was damaging and unsubstantiated.
The statement issued by the Boston College Athletics Department on September 20, 2023, falsely suggested that allegations of hazing by the Boston College Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving team have been substantiated. To be clear, the university’s conduct office has just only begun and certainly has not completed an investigation into such claims, nor have any findings been made. The issuance of this statement prematurely, and without having gathered all of the relevant facts, was not only negligent but also extremely harmful and damaging to the members of the Swimming and Diving program. It is distressing that the College has been so irresponsible in its public messaging. We are hopeful that the College will take all necessary and appropriate steps to rectify the substantial and ongoing damage caused to the student athletes.
Examples of hazing include “alcohol use, personal servitude; sleep deprivation and restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing, and insulting new members/rookies, forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire in public; consumption of vile substances or smearing of such on one’s skin; brandings; physical beatings; binge drinking and drinking games, sexual simulation and sexual assault,” according to the school’s handbook.
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