By Francesca Billington, Correspondent
The Princeton men’s swim and diving team has been suspended for its season after a complaint made to the university regarding emails that included content “vulgar and offensive, as well as misogynistic and racist in nature,” according to a news release posted by the university Dec. 15.
“After reviewing the situation with Coach Orr, we have decided to suspend the season, and all associated team activities, effective immediately,” said the Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who notified the swimming and diving team members of the suspension along with head coach Rob Orr. “In the coming days we will make a determination about the status of the team’s remaining schedule and we also will work collaboratively to determine additional actions aimed at education and positive culture building for the team.”
The team has two meets left in its schedule this season. University spokesman John D. Cramer said that a final decision will be released in the next few days to determine if the season will be cancelled, according to an article in the New York Times.
In the statement, university officials emphasized that the actions of the men’s swim team were at odds with the values of the university.
“We make clear to all of our student-athletes that they represent Princeton University at all times, on and off the playing surface and in and out of season, and we expect appropriate, respectful conduct from them at all times,” said Ms. Samaan. “The behavior that we have learned about is simply unacceptable. It is antithetical to the values of our athletic program and of the University, and will not be tolerated.
University President Christopher Eisgruber echoed this sentiment in a statement issued to the Daily Princetonian, saying he was “deeply disappointed by the behavior of the men’s swim team.”
“I have asked the athletic department to redouble its efforts to ensure that our teams conduct themselves with the character and ethics that we expect from students representing Princeton University in athletic competition,” said Mr. Eisgruber.
