Amherst College in Massachusetts has fired its men's lacrosse coach and put the entire team on probation because of a string of horrifying racist incidents. It is information everyone needs to understand. Photo: Obituary. MORE: Womens soccer team suspended due to blackface Halloween costume, MORE: Vulgar texts prompt wrestling teams suspension, demands for expulsion, Like The College Fix on Facebook / Follow us on Twitter. However, as with any group or organization on our campus, teammates are accountable to each other and, as a team, also to the larger community. AMHERST Amherst College has placed its nationally ranked mens lacrosse program on probation for the 2021 spring season and fired head coach Jon Thompson following a racially charged incident earlier this month. AMHERST Amherst College has placed its nationally ranked men's lacrosse program on probation for the 2021 spring season and fired head coach Jon Thompson following a racially charged. On the basis of a pattern that is endemic and egregious, and that requires immediate correction, we have determined, effective immediately, that the mens lacrosse team is placed on probation through June 30, 2021. International media reports that the team will be on probation through June 30, 2021, and is barred from meeting for practices or other gatherings until November 2020. Coach Thompson led the team to its first national championship game last year and was in the midst of his 10th season with the program before his firing this week. At least one member of the lacrosse team was accused of using a racial slur during a harassing incident that occurred in March. //var LBtag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkLBAmherstMLax-HG-032220,ph2'); 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. }. The incident that occurred nearly two weeks ago involved the use by some members of the lacrosse team of racist, harassing speechin the form of the n-word. The use of this slur carries the historical weight of centuries-long violence and hatred toward black Americans. Phone Number: 673-6248. On March 12, all spring sports at Amherst College were suspended due to the coronavirus. We realize that not every student on the mens lacrosse team has actively participated in the violations that have come to light. 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, Martin said. BREAKING:Eli Lilly caps the cost of insulin at $35 a month. Please take the time to review the below information and view the below links. Amherst, NH 03031. 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. The incident involved three white players from the team who chanted the N-word outside a Black teammates dorm room, as reported by the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Thats the long-awaited day when voters will decide the fate of a $98 million Amherst College coach Jon Thompson, right, watches from the sidelines during a mens lacrosse game against Bowdoin on March 9, 2019. Descendents of British Slave Trading Architects Offer Reparations Compensation to University. NESCAC. CHRIS WRIGHT/CLARUS STUDIOS INC./AMHERST COLLEGE As a redshirt freshman, Kaminska was named "Rookie of the Week" following a three-goal performance in a game against Hofstra University, which offered its "deepest condolences to the Kaminska family and the (UMass lacrosse) community" in a statement on Twitter. Provoked, the Black lacrosse player punched one of the teammates chanting the n-word. All rights reserved. After an investigation into Devoe verbally mistreating players who had broken the school's COVID-19 rules . Souhegan Valley Lacrosse. The descendants of the Trevelyan family offered their apologies and pledged about $120,000 and other private donations. At this time, The Student has been unable to confirm the disciplinary action taken. In addition, every member of the team will be required to complete an educational course selected by Epstein with input from the chief diversity and inclusion officer and Faulstick. 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. 26 Feb Feb document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Aidan Kaminska, who was born in. The USA Lacrosse Players of the Week honors the top performers in each division. So yeah, please dont fall into the trap of believing that white Baby Boomers and their predecessors leaving the Earth will somehow eradicate racism. An early-morning dustup ensued, and one of the combatants was Black. Thompson finishes his Amherst career with a 125-47 record with seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament. var sellablestring = "GAZETTE STAFF"; It stated that a culture that both repeatedly violates standards of decency and also protects those responsible for those violations has no place at Amherst College. According to a statement posted to the UMass Athletics website, the lacrosse player died on May 30 at the age of 19. Man from Viral Video Explains Why He Knocked Down White Dude for Spouting the N-Word In Ohio Convenience Store, Angry Woman Refuses to Let Black Postmates Driver Deliver Order In Apartment Building: I Dont Want You Here at All, White Woman Calls 911 on Black Man, Accuses Him of Being Drug Dealer as He Sits Outside His Own House. 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.. We did not determine the timing of the egregious behavior that prompts our actions. However, as with any group or organization on our campus, teammates are accountable to each other and, as a team, also to the larger community. Kaminska went on to be named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie team for the 2022 season and was named to the 2022 CAA All-Tournament team, his obituary and Massachusetts athletics said. 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. IE 11 is not supported. Need even more lacrosse information? GAME DAY; Watch Live; Live Stats; Composite Schedule; Photos; Tickets; CONNECT; NCAA; Sunshine State Conference; (0% . The Student reportedly confirmed the details of the incident with five people with knowledge of the situation. if (photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring2) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring3) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring4) > -1) { Agostos responsibility is now focused on our COVID response, she told The Student. I am committed to ensuring that we take those steps for the benefit of the entire Amherst community, Martin said. Woods leadership may be a deciding factor in the lacrosse programs future. MEDFORD, MA (February 24, 2023) - The Tufts University hockey team takes a four-game winning streak into its NESCAC Tournament quarterfinal game at Amherst College on Saturday evening. For them to transfer somewhere else, somewhere else will have to want them. var sellablestring3 = "STAFF FILE PHOTO"; It is, unfortunately, only the most recent in a list of deeply troubling cases involving some team members over the years. 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. Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting. August 14, 2021. Its important for us to recognize and acknowledge that both the use of racial epithets on our campus and physical violence causes harm not only to the individuals involved but to the community as a whole, Dean of Students Liz Agosto wrote in an email blast to students March 9. The punishment comes after several players reportedly chanted the N-word at the Black student, who then punched a teammate for using the slur during the March 7 incident. [CDATA[ You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time. This includes, but is not limited to, captains practices and team-bonding activities. the team has been near the top of the D3 rankings for the past few yrs and even won a title. However, as with any group or organization on our campus, teammates are accountable to each other and, as a team, also to the larger community. so pathetic. var sellablestring = "GAZETTE STAFF"; The image was then circulated on social media. The team is prohibited from engagingin formalteam gatherings prior to November 1, 2020. After beating Salisbury, the Generals are rising the rankings fast. Amherst Lacrosse Team on Probation By Lilah Burke March 23, 2020 The Boston Globehas reported that Amherst College has placed its men's lacrosse team on probation through the 2021 season and terminated coach Jon Thompson after a racist incident involving the team. The lawsuit alleges that there was more to Devoes removal than was officially communicated by the school. This is the second publicly-addressed hate incident within the last year that has involved mens lacrosse players. According to the Boston Globe, Devoe was fired one year into his three-year contract because he "verbally mistreated" the lacrosse athletes. AMHERST The former head coach of the Amherst College men's lacrosse team has filed a federal lawsuit claiming that school officials discriminated against him, and ultimately fired him, "on the basis of his race." . Amherst athletics is among the oldest and most prestigious athletic programs in the country, the letter concluded. 1. We have reviewed the complaint filed on behalf of Mr. Rashad Devoe against Amherst College and categorically refute the allegations made about the College's decisions and motives in the matter, she said. They added that the incident was only the most recent in a list of deeply troubling cases involving some team members over the years. EducationSportsTechAcademic InsanityAmherst Collegecollege sportslacrosse. Federally mandated student privacy protections mean that those findings will not be shared. Judge Upholds Firing Of Police Officer Who Shot Breonna Taylor. }, The Amherst College mens lacrosse team celebrates during a 16-13 win over Wesleyan in the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Pratt Field. Devoe was fired as Amherst men's lacrosse head coach in June with two years left on his deal. History. The exact contents of that course are unclear and, if were being honest, this has ineffective diversity training written all over it, but that doesnt mean officials at Amherst are not dead serious about holding everyone involved in this incident accountable. var currentheadline = document.getElementById("headline").innerText; The Globe also noted that Devoe said he reported the alleged discrimination but school officials declined to assure him they would protect him and the students from retaliation and continued discrimination.. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Concussions are a risk associated with any sport, physical activity or accident. 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. Some students allegedly chanted the. 1996 brought the 3rd year program a Section VI Class B title, an undefeated season in ECIC II league play and a 16-4 overall record. "The Massachusetts athletics department extends condolences to Aidan's family,. I dont believe anyone will face consequences until the facts are known.. 3. On Tuesday, Jan. 31, under the leadership of its new director Siddhartha V. Shah, the Mead Art Museum opened its doors to the general public for the first time in nearly three years. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. 7 in the country this year before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Three people all members of mens lacrosse chanted the n-word outside of a Black lacrosse players suite on March 7. This August, following Devoes dismissal, Amherst College announced the hiring of former head coach at Colorado College, Sean Woods, as the programs new head coach. He "enjoyed taking long walks in nature and he worked out fiercely," his obituary says. School wont discuss specifics of case, suspension. In a letter to the Amherst College community signed by President Biddy Martin, Catherine Epstein, provost and dean of the faculty, and athleticdirector Don Faulstick, the school pointed out that the incident was just the latest in a pattern of troubling behavior surrounding the program. Amherst, MA Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium. In fact, theyre so serious that according to the Gazette, college officials fired the teams head coach of nearly 10 years, Jon Thompson, despite the fact that he led the Mammoths to its first national championship game last season, closing out the year ranked at no. Apparently, members of the team, the Mammoths, chanted nigger at a black team member who then punched one of his teammates for the offense. In high school, Kaminska was a captain on both the boys' football and lacrosse teams, his obituary states. A wake for the athlete is expected to be held Friday in East Setauket, New York, and a funeral will be held Saturday in Port Jefferson. In addition to probation, team members are barred from participating in any formal team gatherings, including player-led practices and bonding activities, until Nov. 1, 2020. Making Love Songs: The Story Behind Method Man's "All I Need". We realize that not every student on the mens lacrosse team has actively participated in the violations that have come to light. School officials would not answer repeated requests for comment. 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. According to a report by the College Fix, Amherst College has suspended its mens lacrosse team through 2021 over an alleged incident that involved three players. As revealed by WBUR, According to the lawsuit, administrators pressured Devoe to reveal the identi[t]ies of three Black athletes who complained about a racist comment made by a lacrosse player, and when he refused, he was fired. The timing of the termination is cause for speculation because the refusal and removal happened around the same time. In short, we cannot ignore the harmful culture that exists on the mens lacrosse team, and its damage to our community.. However, no work was completed and no refund was issued, they say. Email Inquiries related to Jamboree or NHYLA Festival and fundraising: Subject: Amherst Lacrosse? Sign up to receive The Atlanta Black Star Newsletter in your inbox. "The incident that occurred nearly two weeks ago involved the use by some members of the lacrosse team of racist, harassing speechin the form of the "n-word." The use of this slur carries the historical weight of centuries-long violence and hatred toward black Americans. '"; Due to a racially charged incident early this month, the team was put on probation for the 2021 season and coach Jon Thompson was fired. The letter also said the team was uncooperative in the investigation and no one took ownership for chanting the n-word, nor did anyone reveal who was responsible for the chant. Prior to Devoes arrival, the lacrosse team had been put on probation following a racist incident in March 2020. Participation in athletics at Amherst is a privilege, not a right, the letter said. Over the past three weeks, the members of the Amherst men's lacrosse program have struggled to express in writing our collective feelings about the unacceptable actions of three of our teammates on March 8, 2020. "We join @UMassAthletics in mourning the loss of mens lacrosse player Aidan Kaminska," UMass Amherst said in a separate Twitter statement. Elon Musk Says Media Is Racist Against White People In Defense Of Dilbert Cartoonists Rant. One of those incidents was team members exchanging messages in a popular texting app, GroupMe, that were denigrating and ridiculing transgender and gender-nonconforming staff members. His senior season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, as with any group or organization on our campus, teammates are accountable to each other and, as a team, also to the larger community. 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. Its essential that we get more information and get to the bottom of what happened, Martin said. Stay tuned for updates from The Student regarding this storys development. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright USA Lacrosse Magazine 1995 saw the team grow as they went 7-9, losing four games by a goal. Some students allegedly chanted the N-word outside a black players dorm on March 7, according to the Amherst Student newspaper. The team over recent years has been responsible for other violations, including vandalism in the dorms, overtaxing our custodial and facilities staff, and at times creating unsafe conditions. Thompson led the Mammoths to its first national championship game last season, and the team was ranked No. Bigotry and prejudice are not solely attached to the age groups that witnessed Jim Crow first-hand. At Amherst we are fortunate to have a student body, a staff, and a faculty that have begun to more closely reflect the realities of the country and the world. Following an incident two weeks ago involving the use of a racial slur by members of the Amherst mens lacrosse team originally reported by the schools newspaper, The Amherst Student, the university has reportedly fired head coach Jon Thompson and banned the team from competing in the 2021 postseason. // ]]>. Amherst athletes are required to follow the behavioral standards set by the athletic department and the College honor code as well.. The Amherst lacrosse coach, Jon Thompson, posted his reaction to the incident and shared the disciplinary action he would be taking. 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. Thompson, in his 10th year with Amherst, went 18-4 last season and lost in the NCAA Division III championship game to Cabrini. But it didnt end there. Due to a racially charged incident early this month, the team was put on probation for the 2021 season and coach Jon Thompson was fired. It is not tolerable to have a racist slur used against anyone. The suspension continues a trend of universities and college suspending entire sports teams over the actions of a small group of players. Subscribe Today, Amherst resident alleges discrimination in building code enforcement, Supreme Court seems ready to sink student loan forgiveness, Override vote for new Amherst elementary school set for May 2. We're ignoring the very incident that caused Amherst lacrosse's current penalties. 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. 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 was known for his infectious smile, being a good friend, and a tremendous athlete," the obituary reads. The Amherst College mens lacrosse team celebrates during a 16-13 win over Wesleyan in the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Pratt Field. We write with an update about the steps the College is taking to address problems with the culture and actions of the mens lacrosse team. University of Southern California (USC) Prospect Camp - July 12-13. Due to a racially charged incident early this month, the team was put on probation for the 2021 season and coach Jon Thompson was fired. The Amherst College mens lacrosse team has a recent history of controversy. (AP) Amherst College has placed its men's lacrosse team on probation and is firing the team's coach following complaints that players used a racial slur.. In the memo, Martin, Faulstick and Epstein detailed a number of other incidents that led to their decision to bench the team. 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