7/29/2019 Skidmore Soccer Letter

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Dear Members of the Skidmore Community:

I am disappointed and saddened to inform you that following an investigation by Campus Safety into

reports of hazing and underage drinking by members of the mens soccer team at an off-campus

location the College has cancelled the teams spring season and initiated disciplinary proceedingsinvolving 28 Skidmore students, including 24 current team members. This investigation was prompted

by our learning of a team initiation on November 30, 2012 referred to by some as Rookie Night. We

informed the team of these actions this evening.

Fortunately, no students were hospitalized or suffered lasting injury. However, the potential for injurywas considerable and the actions themselves inexcusable. All student-athletes sign a pledge at the start

of every season stating that they will not engage in any form of hazing. They are public ambassadors

for the College; as such, we expect them to represent Skidmore at its very best. In failing to honor that

pledge, the students in question have not only endangered a number of their fellow students but alsothreatened the core values that bind and undergird our entire community. In addition to our cancellation

of the mens soccer spring season, all athletes found to have participated in this incident will be barred

from participation in any spring sport. A number of the team members face suspensions for significantportions of the fall season, and all students are subject to further disciplinary review as part of the

student conduct process.

We have provided the results of Campus Safetys investigation to the Saratoga Springs Police

Department and Saratoga County District Attorney.

As concerned as we are by the lack of leadership and judgment demonstrated by team members in thisincident, we must acknowledge the maturity they have shown in the course of Campus Safetys

investigation. They are taking responsibility for their behavior and recognizing that actions have

consequences. Let me add that the head coach of the mens soccer team and the Director of Athleticsdeserve our appreciation and praise for having acted swiftly and appropriately as soon as they learned

of these incidents.

As difficult as this is for all who are directly involved in this matter, as well as for everyone who cares

about Skidmore, we see evidence already that important lessons are being learned, and we areconfident that the actions we are taking in the end will make us all wiser and our athletics program

stronger.

Sincerely,

Philip A. Glotzbach

President