The College Fix

Some swimmers accused of forcing teammates to swallow vomit

Boston College’s swim and dive program remains suspended heading into the New Year, following accusations of hazing.

Associate Vice President for Communications Jack Dunn confirmed to The College Fix via phone on Wednesday that the investigation into the men’s and women’s team is ongoing. He said he expects the results will be released in early January 2024. The hazing allegedly occurred in early September.

Allegations included excessive drinking and forcing teammates to eat their own vomit, according to a letter obtained, but not published, by the campus newspaper. The letter was reportedly sent by an administrator in the Office of the Dean of Students.

The Instagram account for the team has not posted in three months, according to a Dec. 6 review by The Fix.

The next meet is scheduled for Jan. 13; however, the team has not been able to practice this whole semester.

The university said it is working with law enforcement; however, The College Fix could not determine what agency.

The campus police department has not responded to a request for comment on the allegations sent in the past three weeks by The Fix. Boston College is located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Newton, Massachusetts. However, the Newton police said they are not involved in this investigation.

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“Our department does not have any records/reports/open investigations into the incident you are referring to,” Lieutenant Amanda Henrickson told The Fix via email in mid-October, a month after the investigation began. “I would refer you to the Boston College Police Department and Boston Police Department.”

The Boston Police Department has not responded to a request for comment. The Fix called on Wednesday and a representative asked for questions to be sent via email.

Attorneys were unsuccessful in obtaining an injunction to allow the team to practice while the investigation continued.

“The judge has denied the Boston College swimmers’ request for a temporary restraining order lifting the team’s suspension during the investigation,” Tara Davis, an attorney with the Nesenoff & Miltenberg law firm, told The College Fix in November.

“We are disappointed with the decision as the goal of the swimmers was to practice and compete while the investigation proceeds,” Davis said via email.

“Because that goal has not been achieved, the swimmers have decided to dismiss the lawsuit,” Davis said. “We continue to hope that the school will consider lifting the suspension and alleviating the mental health strain it continues to have on the entire team.”

Prior to the ruling, Davis had criticized the administration, including BC Athletics, for implying the claims had 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,” Andrew Miltenberg and Davis told The Heights, Boston College’s student newspaper.

“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,” the legal team stated.

Swimmers will have to answer questions primarily on their own without the direct assistance of an attorney.

The Sep. 19 letter from the university informed accused athletes that while they may have an advisor, he cannot speak for them.

“You may be accompanied by an advisor of your choice,” the letter reportedly stated. “Advisors may not ask questions, interject, coach, advocate for, or otherwise speak on your behalf during the hearing. If you plan to have an advisor present, you must notify the investigator(s) before your hearing.”

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IMAGE: Jay Kleeman/Flickr

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