Brown University has suspended its men’s swimming and diving team after an investigation found multiple violations of alcohol and hazing policies. In a recent statement, Brown said the team will be suspended as a student organization through Dec. 21, the final day of the 2018 fall semester. During that period, the team can participate in other activities, such as practices, but is barred from representing Brown in competition.
Brown’s review was prompted by an investigation by The Brown Daily Herald student newspaper, which reported that team members engaged in a night of drinking and vandalism on Oct. 7, 2017. Text messages, photos and recordings indicated it was an “initiation” or “hazing.” Click here to view Brown’s Original Statement.
The extended penalties into next season appear to be overly harsh according to Alumni parent, Brad Glenn. Glenn told Swimming World that the perpetrators of the hazing incident have graduated and the extended penalties are aimed at the wrong swimmers and in-coming freshman.
The following Open letter to Brown University President Christina Paxson was sent to Swimming World from Brad Glenn:
Dear President Paxson:
I am the father of Robby Glenn (’08) and Tommy Glenn (’14) who were both captains of the men’s swimming teams at Brown (Tommy was a 6 time Ivy champion and 2 time Olympic Trial qualifier). I have been involved with swimming nationally and internationally for the past 60+ years.
Although I do not condone hazing in any manner whatsoever or what happened last fall with the men’s swimming program in particular, you have to admit that these and similar incidents have happened in other sports at Brown and other universities around the country over the years. Again that doesn’t make it right but I do feel that you and the administration overreacted. By using the men’s team as the sacrificial lamb, you made your point. I am certain that they have learned their lesson.
The damage to the 2017-18 team is already done and cannot be repaired. However, the 2018-19 season should be a new beginning with many new faces who had nothing to do with what went on last year. In fact over half of next year’s team will be comprised of student/athletes who were either seniors in high school or the actual hazing victims their freshman year. The captains will have graduated by then so aren’t you a little off target by continuing this suspension with the 2018-19 team?
I’m sure that you are familiar with what happened to the men’s swimming team at Princeton. Disbanding the team for the balance of the 2016-17 season was deserved (in my opinion) but the university realized that the next season was another year, a new beginning, and a fresh start. However, by not allowing our team to compete until January 2019, you are adding salt to the wound, accomplishing nothing, and punishing a new team that is comprised of mostly innocent student/athletes.
Please reconsider your position and give the 2018-19 team an honest chance to turn this around and get back on track.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
More background about the Hazing Incident
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
I’m alright with the punishment. While it is unfortunate that the incoming classes will have to deal with the repercussions of the actions of their predecessors, it will show the program that those kinds of actions will absolutely not be tolerated. Hopefully that will keep the program from ever developing those kinds of harmful traditions again. A short term punishment for a hopeful long term solution.
No, is Swimming World really a bastion of responsible journalism when writing an article under that premise?
Why do you question Swimming World’s ethics for reporting this story? They aren’t advocating for either position, but merely reporting on the recent development in the story, i.e., the parent’s letter, which raises questions about the harshness of the punishment. This is the type of reporting we should welcome. SW reports the facts and new information and you are free to develop your own opinion. However, regarding the reporting, I would appreciate some additional background information at the end of the story, for those of us who haven’t followed this closely. What was the extent of the drinking? What was the vandalism? Were charges filed? These additional facts would help to flesh out the story and help us draw our own conclusions as to whether the punishment fits the “crime”.
More Background About the Hazing Incident: http://www.browndailyherald.com/2017/12/05/u-investigates-mens-swim-dive-team-hazing/
Carrying the punishment into the 18-19 Swim season after already punishing the team this season seems a bit harsh…I have never been a fan of punishing all of the athletes for the actions of a few….especially the original victims of the alleged hazing. I hope the Brown AD reconsiders his position and permits the swimmers to complete in the Fall of ‘18. Time Served!!!
Agree 100% TC. One of the swimmers on my daughter’s club is going to Brown in the fall. Why should he be penalized? Another girl from her team went to Dartmouth last year and was penalized for something that happened when she was still in high school. These punishments should AT LEAST end at the conclusion of the season!
Isn’t there a code of conduct to follow? Shouldn’t be any opinion involved
The incoming students should not be punished. I would continue the punishment for those involved and allow those not involved the ability to compete next fall.
Kristine Loftin Gill Katherine Gill
What was the initiation? Hard to take anything from this without the details. Most teams have some kind of silly initiation, and every school has alcohol. Unless kids were put in danger or felt threatened is initiation a bad thing? In my experience it builds team unity and closeness.
William B. Campbell
How is hazing even a thing in sports? Maybe I’m naiive, but I would think being a swimmer is enough. I feel bonded enough without breaking rules , to my swim ppl they are the best ♥️
Let’s ask Western Kentucky what they think.
Don’t lie…admit you screwed up, from the start, and the punishment wouldn’t be as severe. Yes, it’s harsh. Lesson learned…I hope.
I swam in college and there was zero hazing. We swam and competed. That’s it!
Hazing of athletes is really a form of bullying of younger athletes by older ones. It does not build team camaraderie nor does it develop trust in each other as team members. Those athletes who perpetuate this type of humiliation on their own team members need to be permanently rooted out of any sort where it occurs. It is unfortunate that some of current team members are being punished despite not being involved in the actions, but perhaps the lessons learned will foster the development of some real leaders in the future who won’t tolerate behavior of this sort.
Western Kentucky university is suspended for 5 years due to hazing. So punishing the team into the next season is not harsh. They need to be taught that the school doesn’t tolerate those kind of actions.