Sixteen former members of the University of Michigan men’s ice hockey program have filed a federal lawsuit in Detroit alleging that coaches and staff turned a blind eye to ritualized hazing that included forced shaving of genitals and other abusive acts by teammates. The plaintiffs, who played for the Wolverines from 1984 to 2001, say the abuse was “meticulously planned” and a required part of team membership.
Allegations and legal claims
Attorney Michael Pitt, representing the former athletes, described the conduct as “sadistic” and filed the suit on Wednesday, asserting violations of Title IX and federal civil rights statutes. The complaint accuses former head coach Red Berenson, who led the program from 1984 until his retirement in 2017, of knowing about the hazing and failing to intervene.
Berenson, now 86, declined to comment on the lawsuit, stating only that he needed time to “absorb what’s going on.” In 2012, he announced the end of what he called “freshman hazing,” referring to first‑year players being forced to carry equipment and eat team meals. At the time, he acknowledged that some captains had “got too carried away,” but made no mention of physical abuse.
University response
The university called the allegations “disturbing” but denied any liability. Spokesperson Paul Corliss noted that the school adopted an official anti‑hazing policy in 1982, making it one of the nation’s earliest adopters, and said the policy has earned Michigan a reputation as a leader in this area. “To the extent any former student‑athlete engaged in hazing or other misconduct, they were violating university policy,” Corliss wrote.
University officials also pointed to a prior settlement in 2020, when former athletes sued over sexual misconduct by a campus sports doctor. That case was resolved with a $490 million payment to more than 1,000 claimants, demonstrating the school’s willingness to address past wrongdoing when proven.
Context and next steps
The lawsuit emerged after former teammates began discussing their experiences in 2024, prompting the legal action. While the plaintiffs argue that the university knew about the abuse, the school may argue that the filing comes many years after the alleged incidents, a defense it successfully used in the 2020 doctor case.
The case will proceed in federal court, where the plaintiffs must prove that the university’s officials were aware of the hazing and failed to act. If successful, the suit could result in monetary damages and potentially prompt further review of the university’s oversight of athletic programs.
University of Michigan officials have not indicated whether they will revisit or strengthen their anti‑hazing measures in light of the new allegations. The outcome of this lawsuit may have broader implications for how collegiate athletic departments across the country handle hazing and ensure the safety of student‑athletes.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
