Princeton University Men's Swim Team Suspended Over Vulgar Comments

Princeton, NJ -- The Princeton University swimming and diving team’s season has been suspended after the university discovered several materials that were vulgar and offensive, as well as misogynistic and racist in nature, the university announced on Thursday.

The materials were discovered after a complaint was filed with 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," Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan said in a statement. "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."

Samaan went on to say that he and coach Rob Orr made the decision to suspend the season together, and that a final decision will be made in the upcoming days.

“We also will work collaboratively to determine additional actions aimed at education and positive culture building for the team," Samaan said.

The team is 2-3 this season, and is scheduled to compete in two more meets before the Ivy League Championships on Feb. 22-25.

“The athletics department and the University are committed to providing an inclusive environment free from harassment and intimidation and characterized by mutual respect and concern for the well-being of others,” Samaan said. “In recent years we have worked closely with Princeton’s SHARE office (Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising Resources and Education) to provide educational and training programs for our students and our staff.

"One program developed by SHARE in conjunction with my office is SCORRE (Strength in Coaching on Relationships, Respect and Equality). This program uses the bond between coaches and players to foster interactive dialogue and develop skills that promote healthy interpersonal relationships. Its modules cover such topics as respect, integrity, language, consent, and bystander intervention. We have also developed a program that will be introduced next month that focuses on the responsible and productive use of social media. We will continue to focus on such programs as well as redouble our ongoing efforts to achieve our primary goal, which is education through athletics."

Princeton is the third Ivy League team since November to be suspended for off-the-field behavior, according to the New York Times. The others were the Harvard men’s soccer team and the Columbia wrestling team.

Princeton has 38 swimmers on its roster.