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Ex-Players Sue Michigan for Allowing Severe Hazing Culture
10 Sep
Summary
- Sixteen former players filed a federal lawsuit alleging sexualized hazing.
- The lawsuit claims coaches and staff knew about and tolerated abuse.
- Plaintiffs seek damages and mandatory sexualized-hazing prevention training.
Sixteen former University of Michigan hockey players have initiated a federal lawsuit, accusing the school of enabling decades of severe, sexualized hazing. The alleged misconduct, spanning from 1984 to 2001, involved ritualized abuse by older players against younger teammates, including forced nudity and other sexualized acts.
The complaint names the University of Michigan and its Board of Regents as defendants, asserting that coaches and staff were aware of the hazing, tolerated it, and potentially pressured players to conform. Attorneys for the plaintiffs stated that their clients seek accountability while protecting their identities.
The lawsuit highlights a pervasive culture where resistance to hazing was met with pressure to "be a Michigan man," with some players claiming reduced playing time after objecting. This alleged environment, extending into the tenures of former coaches Red Berenson and Mel Pearson, is central to the legal challenge.
This development arrives as the university's athletic department faces other transitions and scrutiny. Notably, Michigan agreed to a $490 million settlement in 2022 regarding accusations of sexual abuse by a former physician. The hockey program itself has seen past issues, including the removal of Mel Pearson as head coach in 2022.
