Violations of team policy halt men's season Panthers blocked from postseason competition because of hazing offenses

Author: George Mayer

The Middlebury men's swimming and diving team was extremely optimistic about the opportunities that awaited them in the homestretch of their season. Following their 184-110 loss to national championship contender Williams on Jan. 29, the Panther squad was set to host the Middlebury Invitational in preparation for the NESCAC Championships to be hosted by Williams Feb. 24-26. During their own invitational, however, the Panthers were no where to be found after Coach Peter Solomon was forced to end the team's season prematurely mainly due to alcohol related events that violated team policy. Those athletes who have already qualified for the National Championships will still be able to compete.

As Coach Solomon said, "Once I became aware of the drinking violations, I wanted to make the consequences quick and significant." The Panthers were not allowed to compete in their invitational and are going to be kept out of the water for the remainder of the season. The NESCAC Championships will be held without them, as will the NCAA Championships in Minnesota. "Obviously we are all sad that these steps had to be taken, but a stance had to be made," said Solomon.

Unfortunately, several members of the Panther squad missed the chance to qualify for the Division III National Championships this season. Juniors Rob Collier '07 and Tim Lux '07 both qualified last year and were very capable of doing even more damage this year. Tristram Arscott '06 was the only panther to qualify for national competition before the season ended, but more would have had the chance to do so at the upcoming NESCAC Championships, where Middlebury swimmers have historically qualified.

Ultimately Coach Solomon believes that his decision to cancel the rest of the team's season will make the Middlebury men's swimming and diving program stronger. Solomon has talked to his recruits for next season about the full team suspension, and says that their parents seem to greatly appreciate the fact that a stance has been taken.

Details about the team's alcohol related violations are to remain private until pending punishments are finalized. It has been said, however, that the team's violation of the initiation process for first-year swimmers was because of the use of alcohol.

Problems related to drinking and hazing on athletic teams are certainly present nationwide and not limited to Middlebury College. The Middlebury Athletic Department holds its teams to higher standards than other programs across the country, however, and is greatly disappointed that these actions had to be taken. Athletic Director Russ Reilly is in full support of Coach Solomon's actions and believes canceling the rest of the season is the correct move. "Whenever an administrative member becomes aware of issues involving inappropriate use of alcoholic beverages, it is his or her job to take action," Reilly stated.

Solomon's actions have also drawn support from the team. "This, in no way, was an easy decision for our swim coach to make," said Arscott. "Coach Solomon felt that in order to put the men's swim team back on track with his and the team's goals, measures such as ending our season just before championships were necessary. While it is hard to accept his decision, we give him our complete support."

Solomon's decision to cut the season short is not the first time a Middlebury College athletic team has been removed from competition due to alcohol related issues. A year or two prior to when Reilly took over as athletic director, the College's rugby program had an entire season cancelled due to drinking violations. It remains extremely unfortunate that this year's Middlebury Men's swimming and diving team will no longer be competing, however, because of the opportunities that awaited it throughout the final weeks of the season.

After posting four consecutive wins over Colby, Bates, Hamilton and Union to start off J-term, things certainly looked bright for the Panther squad. The team had its eyes on a repeat second place performance at this year's NESCAC Championships, behind powerhouse Williams, and was well on the way to doing so. Unfortunately, for members of the Panther swim team graduating this spring, their senior season schedule will always be marked with an asterisk.