Reached via email, campus spokeswoman Caroline Hanna directed The College Fix to a message from President Biddy Martin. [W]e have also concluded that a change in leadership for the lacrosse team will be necessary, the letter read. 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. This fall, every team member will take an education program in consultation with the chief diversity and inclusion officer and the director of athletics.. A.L.A. 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 team has also been accused of using language that ridiculed the transgender community. NESCAC. Amherst College coach Jon Thompson, right, watches from the sidelines during a mens lacrosse game against Bowdoin on March 9, 2019. A group of alumni who were present for the 2015 Amherst Uprising, which shed light on the difficulties faced by students of color on campus, returned for a panel in the Powerhouse on Feb. 16 to discuss the lessons they drew from the Uprising and give advice to current students. It is not tolerable to have a racist slur used against anyone. 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. Subject: Amherst Lacrosse? 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. From the beginning, several Amherst parents considered Devoes coaching methods to be unacceptable. 2023 NAACP Image Awards: Get Familiar with Gospel Veteran Erica Campbell. At least one member of the lacrosse team was accused of using a racial slur during a "harassing" incident that occurred in March. 2023 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Things to Know About the Fashion Trailblazer Turned Advocate Bethann Hardison. At least one member of the lacrosse team was accused of using a racial slur during a harassing incident that occurred in March. 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. In this letter we outline and explain the decisions we have now made in response to the incident. No formal team gatherings will take place until November, meanwhile, and the team is forbidden from participating in NCAA postseason play next year. if (photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring2) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring3) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring4) > -1) { //LBtag_id.innerHTML = ''; Provoked, the Black lacrosse player punched one of the teammates chanting the n-word. Our athletes can and must reflect the best of Amherst, holding themselves to the high standards we expect of our community in all its endeavors. It is important that everyone understands the symptoms, risks, and management of a suspected brain injury. Sign up to receive The Atlanta Black Star Newsletter in your inbox. The letter described several other incidents that led to a decision of this nature. Shawna Chen, a former reporter for the Amherst Student, confirmed the students' identities. The incident that sparked the punishment was first reported by the Amherst Student on March 11. In retaliation, the victim punched one of the white players, and was immediate[ly] punish[ed], according to the Gazette. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. 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.. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time. "Aidan had numerous friends and was an inspiration to many. He will sorely be missed," the obituary says. var sellablestring4 = "GAZETTE FILE PHOTO"; so pathetic. 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. Ferrante, 72, of Lancaster, was arrested and charged with felony grand . 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. According to its report, members of the mens lacrosse team chanted the n-word at a black lacrosse player, who then punched one of his teammates who was using the term. 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. It is information everyone needs to understand. 1. The official 2023 Women's Lacrosse schedule for the Amherst College "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. It is not tolerable to have a racist slur used against anyone. History. In addition to lacrosse and football, Kaminska loved baby animals, especially ducklings and bunnies. tag_id.innerHTML = ''; 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. 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." . As a condition of being allowed to play in the Spring 2021 season, the following terms of probation will be required of the team: 1. The camp is for boys in the classes of 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. . Amherst College is remaining largely silent regarding questions related to the suspension of its mens lacrosse team through the 2021 season, a decision the school said was in response to several deeply troubling incidents on campus. 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. Amherst athletes are required to follow thebehavioral standards set by the athletic departmentand the College honor code as well. //var LBtag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkLBAmherstMLax-HG-032220,ph1'); 7 in the nation before the season was cut short due to the recent pandemic, will now miss out on the 2021 postseason. Participation in athletics at Amherst is a privilege, not a right, the letter reads. Souhegan Valley Lacrosse. 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. //