Several members of the men’s soccer team have been penalized with game suspensions after the discovery last spring of what some members of the team have labeled a hazing incident. The matter occurred shortly after the end of the spring season.

Team co-captain Danny Issroff ’15 noted that the incident and the fallout forced the team to self-reflect.

“Obviously hazing is not a good thing, and no team wants to have an incident of any sort, but we’ve been through a lot of adversity together, and I genuinely believe that’s made us closer as a team,” Issroff said. “While we’ve always held ourselves to high standards on and off the field, the incident did give us the chance to reflect and remind ourselves of exactly how high those standards should be.”

Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Richard Culliton declined to comment on whether the men’s soccer incident is being treated by the University as a hazing incident, as defined in the Student Handbook, which can be found on the University’s website.

“Consistent with state law, national fraternal policies, and athletic conference guidelines, hazing is prohibited at Wesleyan University,” the handbook states. “The term ‘hazing’ shall mean any activity or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, that could reasonably produce undue mental or physical discomfort, harassment, and ridicule or endanger the participants.”

The Student Handbook also clarifies what acts are generally associated with hazing.

“An activity may be considered hazing regardless of consent or willingness to participate in the activity,” the handbook states. “Consistent with the definition above, the following activities have typically been identified as hazing activities: use of alcoholic beverages or other drugs; paddling or branding; creation of excessive fatigue; physical or psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, or road trips; wearing of public apparel that is conspicuous and not in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; degrading or humiliating games and activities; any other activities that are not consistent with University regulations and policies as well as local, state, and federal laws.”

According to the handbook, if a student has any questions about whether or not an event would fall under the category of hazing, ze should consult an advisor, coach, Office of Student Affiars, and/or the Dean’s Office staff. Culliton clarified the definition of hazing.

“While our hazing policy covers a range of activity, it includes initiation into any student organization that could reasonably produce undue mental or physical discomfort, harassment, and ridicule or endanger the participants,” Culliton wrote in an email to The Argus.

Men’s soccer Head Coach Geoff Wheeler declined to release details of the incident.

“The details surrounding the event will remain an internal issue, but I think it’s important for the community to understand that our team made a poor decision and with it comes some serious consequences,” Wheeler wrote in an email to The Argus.

The students on the men’s soccer team involved in the incident were suspended for at least two games each, with some players receiving bans of up to six games. The players were able to choose which matches they will sit out this season.

Even though the incident resulted in complications for the team, the Cardinals won their home opener against Framingham State 3-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and their first NESCAC match against Bowdoin, 3-1 the following Saturday.

“It’s been a juggling act for both players and coaches alike, as to be expected, but I think that again, it shows the resiliency of our team and the depth that we have,” Wheeler wrote.

Wheeler intends to turn the occurrence into a positive learning experience for his players.

“I think the most important thing that I keep telling the guys is the importance of education and making sure that they learn from it,” Wheeler wrote. “I think also more importantly at this stage is that their peers in the Wesleyan community learn from their poor decisions so that other people don’t do the same.”

Although Wheeler was disappointed to find out that his players were involved in the incident, he has been impressed by how the team has worked together to rectify the situation.

“I think any time that you’re in a group and the group doesn’t do what you think they’re going to do, you’re disappointed,” Wheeler wrote. “I think that was a natural reaction from coaches, administration, parents, and players once they saw their missteps. The reaction [after] the disappointment has been very impressive by everybody involved.”

Issroff added that, along with gaining a renewed sense of how to conduct themselves outside of official team activities, the Cardinals are proving their strength as a team on the field as well.

“So far, through two games with players suspended, we have played very well and won convincingly on both occasions,” Issroff said. “It’s obviously a challenge to have players suspended, but I think we’re showing that we have the strength and depth to overcome that challenge.”

Second-year letter-winner Max Jones ’16, given an opportunity to impress in the wake of the suspensions, stood out among the younger players. In the Cardinals’ season opener, Jones was a steady presence in the midfield and managed to draw a free kick that turned into their third goal of the contest.

Despite the controversy surrounding the team at the beginning of the season, Jones has viewed the team’s first two results in a positive light.

“So far the suspensions have not had a major setback—at least on paper,” Jones said. “But it has absolutely affected how we have entered the year. We are now more united as a team. We know that all of our actions on and off the field have consequences, and if one of us fails to uphold the responsibility we are afforded, we all have failed.”

As a result of the entire incident, the members of the team have come to understand their roles as individuals and as a collective unit in regard to their presence on campus.

“We hope our incident serves as an example to the rest of the Wesleyan community that hazing is simply not acceptable,” Issroff said. “We made some bad decisions, and we’re having to face the consequences, but we hope that others won’t make the same mistakes in the future.”

Culliton noted the importance of a community effort in preventing hazing.

“We want to make sure whether a student joins a team, a fraternity or a student group, that they are not subject to any hazing and if they are that they know where to report it so we can address it,” Culliton wrote. “Ultimately it is up to every member of the community to be aware of the problems inherent in hazing new members of a group and for us each to take steps to stop and/or report those activities to [P]ublic [S]afety.”