In their press release, the school cited a failure of the team as a whole to voluntarily identify the individuals involved, and a team wide culture that supported the alleged behavior. if (photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring2) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring3) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring4) > -1) { Dean of Students Liz Agosto sent an email on March 9 notifying students of an altercation between two students involving the use of racist language and subsequent physical violence. The email did not provide further details of what happened. //var LBtag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkLBAmherstMLax-HG-032220,ph1'); According to Inside Lacrosse, Amherst president Biddy Martin, athletic director Don Faulstick and dean of faculty Catherine Epstein described as a "list of deeply troubling cases." In December 2018, another incident occurred at a men's lacrosse party in which a swastika was drawn on the forehead of an unconscious student. This weekend is the first anniversary of the lacrosse meltdown at Amherst College, an ugly chain of events that continues to wreak havoc on the program. Those cases include sharing photos of a teammate with a swastika drawn on his face who had passed out at a party, and GroupMe exchanges denigrating and ridiculing gender-nonconforming and trans staff. // -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring2) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring3) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring4) > -1) { The Amherst College mens lacrosse team has a recent history of controversy. We realize that not every student on the mens lacrosse team has actively participated in the violations that have come to light. Amherst athletics is among the oldest and most prestigious athletic programs in the country, the letter concluded. The College Fix reached out to several staff members including director of athletics Don Faulstick, none of whom responded to requests for comment. College leadership, including Amherst President Biddy Martin and athletics director Don Faulstick, have since addressed the incident in a letter to the campus community, one in which they highlighted multiple instances of troubling behavior by the mens lacrosse program. Aidan Kaminska was a sophomore majoring in communications and was a midfielder on the Minutemen lacrosse team, according to his obituary. The Massachusetts college published a letter on March 20 explaining the decision. In fact, I can think of no legitimate reason why any white person would use it, whether it is directed at a specific person or not. //LBtag_id.innerHTML = ''; Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm. Martin chastised the team for refusing to identify the players that allegedly participated in the conflict. That process is underway. Breitbart News reported in 2016 that Harvard University had suspended the mens soccer team for the remainder of the season because some players had created a list that ranked players on the womens soccer team on the basis of their appearance. According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Amherst College has placed its mens lacrosse program on probation canceling its 2020 postseason along with all formal team gatherings until November following an incident first reported by the Amherst Student earlier this month. In December 2018, another incident occurred at a mens lacrosse party in which a swastika was drawn on the forehead of an unconscious student. The official 2023 Women's Lacrosse schedule for the Amherst College But this incident was largely self-inflicted and fanned by Amherst College President Dr. Carolyn "Biddy" Martin. 1995 saw the team grow as they went 7-9, losing four games by a goal. The letter also noted that members of the program were responsible in the past for vandalism in dorms and putting an undue burden on campus custodial services. "Aidan was known for his infectious smile, being a good friend, and a tremendous athlete," the obituary reads. var currentLocation = window.location; Thompson could not be reached for comment via his school email address, which has been disabled. According to the Boston Globe, Devoe was fired one year into his three-year contract because he verbally mistreated the lacrosse athletes. Amherst, MA Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium. Amherst, NH 03031. The image was then circulated on social media. Amherst College suspends men's lacrosse team, fires coach following racist incident Posted: Mar 22, 2020 / 01:04 PM EDT Updated: Mar 22, 2020 / 01:04 PM EDT AMHERST, Mass. Those cases include sharing photos of a teammate with a swastika drawn on his face who had passed out at a party, and GroupMe exchanges denigrating and ridiculing gender-nonconforming and trans staff.. var sellablestring = "GAZETTE STAFF"; The day after Chen's account in The Student, Martin wrote a message to faculty, students and staff condemning the use of a racial slur, adding that she was working with lacrosse coach Jon Thompson to invoke proper disciplinary measures. "University resources are available for members of the UMass community to utilize during this challenging time," it said. We did not determine the timing of the egregious behavior that prompts our actions. Its essential that we get more information and get to the bottom of what happened. Amherst Lacrosse Association. Fri Mar 20 2020 | Kenny DeJohn | College Prof fired after speaking out against antisemitism, sexual misconduct wins $1M settlement, U. Minn wants to give nearly 3,500 acres to Native American tribe, American Bar Association votes to retain law school admissions tests requirement, Philly locals complain: Penn made schools better, area safer. Get details on the student-athlete's life and legacy below. A team culture that repeatedly violates standards of human decency and then protects those who have perpetuated these violations is not a culture acceptable at Amherst. When some members of our community demean and harass entire groups and create an unwelcoming environment with their conduct, the College has an obligation to hold them to account. Following an earthquake that has caused nearly 50,000 deaths in Turkey and Syria, The Student spoke with students from the affected region about their experiences in the aftermath of the tragedy, the colleges response, and efforts to raise relief funds. Aidan Kaminska, who was born in. P.O. The team, which ranked No. vs. We will review whether this prohibition will continue into additional future seasons at the conclusion of the Spring 2021 season. Copyright 2023 The College Fix, all rights reserved. 2023 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Things to Know About the Fashion Trailblazer Turned Advocate Bethann Hardison. Box 1013. Due to the confidential nature of this ongoing investigation through the Office of Student Affairs, The Student has refrained from publishing the names of the people involved. According to its report, members of the mens lacrosse team chanted the n-word at a black lacrosse player, who then punched one of his teammates who was using the term. This we will do. 4 Cross Road. It is, unfortunately, only the most recent in a list of deeply troubling cases involving some team members over the years. I dont believe anyone will face consequences until the facts are known., The incident, it appears, risks becoming swept under the rug in light of recent events involving COVID-19 and major changes to the structure of the campus. According to Inside Lacrosse, Amherst president Biddy Martin, athletic director Don Faulstick and dean of faculty Catherine Epstein described as a list of deeply troubling cases.. However, no work was completed and no refund was issued, they say. The Atlanta producer discusses his new single, debut album and fondest memories of Takeoff. Sports Editor Over the summer, Amherst College received a wrongful termination lawsuit from former men's lacrosse Head Coach Rashad Devoe. IE 11 is not supported. //LBtag_id.innerHTML = ''; The black lacrosse player then punched one of the players using the vulgar language. The squabble was first reported by student-run paper The Amherst Student earlier this month. COURTESY GEOFFREY BOLTE/CLARUS STUDIOS INC./AMHERST COLLEGE Participation in athletics at Amherst is a privilege, not a right, the letter reads. Last spring, The Student reported on an incident that took place at a December 2018 mens lacrosse party during which a swastika was drawn on an unconscious students forehead and then circulated on mens lacrosse players social media. Olivia Gieger 21 and Henry Newton 21 contributed reporting to this article. He "enjoyed taking long walks in nature and he worked out fiercely," his obituary says. On Saturday, no further information about their injuries was revealed. Thompson finishes his Amherst career with a 125-47 record with seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Over the summer, Amherst College received a wrongful termination lawsuit from former mens lacrosse Head Coach Rashad Devoe. We realize that not every student on the mens lacrosse team has actively participated in the violations that have come to light. Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude. Amherst College has announced that it will suspend the entire lacrosse team through the 2021 season after three players were accused of using bigoted language during an incident. Kaminska had started playing lacrosse at a young age as part of a newly-formed program at Port Jefferson, New York, according to his obituary. He will sorely be missed," the obituary says. In addition to lacrosse and football, Kaminska loved baby animals, especially ducklings and bunnies. the team has been near the top of the D3 rankings for the past few yrs and even won a title. Ferrante, 72, of Lancaster, was arrested and charged with felony grand . The incident that inspired the suspension allegedly involved the use by some members of the lacrosse team of racist, harassing speech. That speech reportedly included the racial slur nigger.. 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