Princeton men’s swim team suspended over ‘misogynistic’ and ‘racist’ comments

PRINCETON — The season has ended for the Princeton University men's swimming and diving team over "vulgar and offensive" comments found on their email distribution list.

A complaint made to the Ivy League school about material found to be "vulgar and offensive, as well as misogynistic and racist in nature" led to the suspension according to a statement issued by the school.

The team, with a 2-2 record so far this season, had two meets left on its schedule in January and February followed by the Ivy League Championships at the end of February.

"We make clear to all of our student-athletes that they represent Princeton University at all times, on and off the playing surface and in and out of season, and we expect appropriate, respectful conduct from them at all times The behavior that we have learned about is simply unacceptable. It is antithetical to the values of our athletic program and of the University, and will not be tolerated," Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan said in a statement.

The university did not disclose the exact comments.

Samaan said the university will work toward "additional actions aimed at education and positive culture building for the team" but did not mention the possibility of individual disciplinary action against members of the team.

Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber said in a statement he was "deeply disappointed" by the team's behavior.

The suspension is the third for an Ivy League team since November. Harvard University and Columbia University suspended teams for similar behavior last month.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

More from New Jersey 101.5