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Writer's pictureHeather Bensten Schone

What a week….


I feel like I start every post with “what a week”- or something to that effect.


Our life is full. And usually full of little mishaps and events that we can look back and laugh about. (Like when I accidentally sent 48 bananas to Lil’s dorm room!) But this week, it was more than just full.


I have struggled to find words or even wrap my mind around the situation at Boston College. For those of you who have not seen the media coverage of Izzy’s swim team, and the indefinite suspension of all 80 members of the men's and women's swim and dive program; this week has rocked our world.


Due to an alleged hazing incident that was reported to the athletic department, the team was immediately suspended and Boston College reported to several large media outlets that the team had been found guilty of hazing.

I will start with my stance on hazing. Any form of hazing is criminal and should be prosecuted to the highest extent of the law.


Izzy has been a member of the Boston College Swim team for four years. She has never ever experienced any form of hazing. Izzy doesn’t drink much- and on many occasions, has participated in drinking games with a red solo cup of water. No one has so much as batted an eyelash.


And while I cannot speak to the incidents that are circulating in the media, as Izzy was not present, I can attest to the character of the BC swimmers I have met to date. These are the hardest working, most dedicated people I have ever met. They are up at the crack of dawn, they have 2 to 3 intense workouts a day and still represent one of the highest team GPA’s at the school.


So why did the Boston College administration essentially throw the entire swim and dive team to the wolves? I truly wish I had an answer to that question. There has not been a hearing. There has been no investigation. However, the athletic department issued a terse three sentence statement insinuating an investigation had been conducted and the matter was settled (the statement has since been revised twice). Predictably, this statement triggered a flood of emotional responses.


There have been helicopters hovering over campus, there are reporters knocking on their dorm doors and they have been advised not to wear any swim and dive apparel to protect their safety. Fellow BC students have yelled insults across campus and used social media to fan the flames. A commenter on a BC student site posted, "spreading false rumors about the BC swim team like it's my job". The defamation reached a level that several BC swim families (us included) engaged legal counsel.


BC tuition is expensive. Swim is a non-scholarship sport, so we are paying full tuition. And now on top of that, we are paying legal fees, despite our daughter having not played any role in the alleged events. Additionally, her senior season, which was set to be her best yet- has been canceled. And from my vantage point, they had 2 of the very best coaches - a unique mix of swim knowledge and love of the sport that they genuinely wanted to share with our kids. What will be the impact of this firestorm of negative media attention?


I am so disappointed by the way BC has handled this situation. If there was any form of hazing, those responsible should suffer serious consequences. But not those who were not involved. And not without an opportunity for an investigation and hearing.


This ordeal has consumed just about every minute of this week. I have burned more baked goods than I care to discuss. Poor Lil told me she had hives earlier in the week. I told her to take Benadryl and went back to focusing on Izzy’s situation. Ooops, apparently the hives were HIVES. When she sent me the picture, I sent her directly to urgent care. She is on prednisone and hopefully will feel better soon. No clue what is causing the hives, but then again, I also don’t know what the heck is going on at BC. All I do know is that Izzy is home for the weekend, and having her here is just what the doctor ordered! (At least for me- sorry Lil, I know that doesn’t help your itching!!)

 

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