WKU suspends swimming & diving program – The Courier-Journal
Jonathan Lintner, jlintner@courier-journal.com 
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WKU suspends swim & dive teams for 5 years
After complaints of hazing, sexual assault and drug use from a former team member prompted police and Title IX investigations into Western Kentucky University’s swimming and diving teams, the school on Tuesday announced a 5-year suspension of the program.
According to a news release from WKU, Title IX Coordinator Huda Melky found evidence of violations of the student code of conduct’s discrimination and harassment policy, as well as the sexual misconduct/assault policy.
School president Gary Ransdell said the program has a “culture of misconduct” that is “intolerable.” He called the suspension “both necessary and prudent.”
In a letter sent to WKU’s faculty and staff, Ransdell added, “Specifically, the violations include hazing, underage alcohol consumption, and abuse, including engagement of [prospective] student athletes on recruiting visits to campus. Additionally, the investigations found that coaches were aware of this pervasive culture and failed to sufficiently eliminate inappropriate behavior within these teams.”
Swimming and diving team members’ scholarships will be honored through their senior years assuming good standing, said Todd Stewart, the Hilltoppers’ athletics director. Otherwise, they’re allowed tperspeo transfer to any other school.
As for staff, positions for head coach Bruce Marchionda, associate head coach Brian Thomas and head diving coach Chelsea Ale will be eliminated as of June 30, the end of the fiscal year.
WKU, according to its announcement, will let its office of judicial affairs handle student code of conduct violations.
“This is a very difficult and unfortunate decision on many levels,” Stewart said. “While many in the program have represented WKU with distinction, the overall findings of a consistent pattern of disappointing conduct is troubling and not acceptable at WKU.”
Bowling Green Police reportedly obtained a search warrant for a home near campus after Collin Craig, a former swimmer from California, stated his allegations. The College Heights Herald student newspaper noted that police found beer kegs, drug paraphernalia and photos detailing sexual assault.
While the police investigation ended in February, WKU finalized its Title IX report April 6 before announcing its decision to suspend the program Tuesday.
WKU’s men’s team has won back-to-back Conference USA titles, while the women finished second this year and also have a rich history, with nine conference championships in 17 years.
The program’s brightest star, Claire Donahue, in 2013 became just the second WKU athlete to earn a medal at the Summer Olympics. The Dallas native swam a preliminary butterfly leg to help Team USA win gold in the 4×100 medley relay at the 2012 Games in London.
Additionally, nine members of the men’s and women’s teams were recently awarded the Conference USA Commissioner’s Medal — given to those with a 3.75 GPA or better — for the 2014-2015 academic year. Thirty-four posted a 3.0 or better.
“They have represented WKU with distinction in the classroom and in competition,” Ransdell’s note to faculty reads, “but sadly their collective behavior outside of the classroom and the pool merits this serious disciplinary action.”
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