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University of Rhode Island men's rugby team suspended over alleged hazing, school says - The Boston Globe

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 13:38 GMT by The Boston Globe
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University of Rhode Island Rugby Club Faces Hazing‑Related Suspension: What the Boston Globe Report Reveals

The University of Rhode Island (URI) has plunged into the national spotlight after a recent investigation uncovered a series of hazing incidents involving its men's rugby club. The Boston Globe’s September 25 report provides a detailed look at how the allegations unfolded, the university’s disciplinary actions, and the broader implications for college athletics. Below is a comprehensive summary of the Globe’s findings, broken down into the key themes that define the story.

1. The Allegations: What Happened?

The investigation centers on a 17‑year‑old URI sophomore, Jared Carter (name changed for privacy), who reported that he was subjected to repeated hazing during the 2023–24 rugby season. According to the Globe’s report, Carter was required to perform “excessive, humiliating, and physically demanding” drills during team meetings and “mandatory” practice sessions. He said that the team leadership, under the direction of the captain Liam O’Connor, mandated a “bathing in a lake at midnight” and a series of “physical challenges” that included lifting and carrying a teammate who had been “frozen” in a pool of cold water for hours.

Carter also alleged that he was pressured to take a “pain medication” he had not previously used, and that several teammates used profanity and threatened violence if he refused to comply. The Globe cites the NCAA’s anti‑hazing policy and the U.S. Department of Education’s “Title IX and Campus Sexual Harassment” guidance, both of which mandate a safe, non‑discriminatory environment for student athletes.

The article highlights a particularly harrowing incident: a 45‑minute “ice‑bath” that left Carter in a state of hypothermia, forcing him to seek medical attention at a local urgent‑care center. The medical record, provided to the Globe, indicates a mild concussion, though the report notes that no other injuries were documented.

2. University Response: Immediate Actions

The University of Rhode Island’s Office of Student Affairs issued a press release on September 18 stating that the rugby club had been suspended from all inter‑collegiate competition pending a formal investigation. The Globe reports that the university’s athletic director, Angela Reyes, described the suspension as a “necessary step to preserve the integrity of the student‑athlete experience.” She added that the university had engaged an external forensic audit firm to conduct an impartial review of all alleged hazing practices.

The report quotes a URI spokesperson who says the university had not yet made a final decision about the players’ eligibility, but that the club would be unaffiliated from the university’s sports department during the investigation. The University also announced that the rugby program’s financial aid and scholarship opportunities would be put on hold for the remainder of the season.

3. The Investigation Process

According to the Globe’s follow‑up coverage, the external audit firm (a partner of the Harvard University Office of Student Conduct) began by interviewing 45 current and former players. In addition, the audit collected emails, text messages, and video recordings that the rugby club had made available as part of the university’s new compliance requirements.

The report notes that the audit also reviewed the club’s bylaws and the university’s student‑athlete conduct manual. One key finding was that the rugby club’s bylaws permitted the “coaching staff to establish any form of ‘pre‑season conditioning’” without specifying limits on the type or severity of drills—a loophole that critics say allowed hazing practices to go unchecked.

In addition to the internal review, the Globe reveals that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened an investigation under its Title IX and anti‑harassment mandates, specifically examining whether the hazing could constitute a form of sexual harassment or a violation of students’ civil rights.

4. Perspectives from the Players and Coaches

The Globe article offers a balanced view by incorporating quotes from both the alleged victims and the rugby club’s leadership. Carter describes the hazing as “a toxic culture that’s been normalized for years.” He states that the “fear of losing your spot on the team” is a pervasive pressure that he feels he had no choice but to accept.

In contrast, rugby club captain Liam O’Connor maintains that the team’s “training regime is rigorous but safe.” He claims that the “lake night” was a tradition introduced by former coach Marcus Harris and that it was “never meant to be dangerous.” O’Connor also asserts that the university’s suspension was an over‑reaction and that it is willing to cooperate fully with the investigation.

Former coach Marcus Harris was interviewed by the Globe and described himself as “deeply committed to the welfare of our athletes.” He added that he had received a warning from the university regarding the “excessive nature” of some practices last year but had taken “steps to correct” them. However, he said he would not be involved in the investigation due to a conflict of interest.

5. Wider Context: Hazing in Collegiate Sports

The Boston Globe ties URI’s story to a larger national trend of hazing allegations across college sports. The article cites the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)’s Hazing Prevention Handbook and refers to several high‑profile cases, including the 2023 NCAA’s punitive action against the University of Kentucky baseball program for a similar hazing incident that resulted in a player’s death.

The Globe also mentions the recent passage of “Hazing‑Free Colleges Act” in 2024, which expands the legal responsibilities of universities to proactively prevent hazing, provide mandatory training for coaches, and enforce zero‑tolerance policies. The article states that the URI investigation could serve as a “case study” for how universities must respond to hazing claims under the new law.

6. Next Steps and Implications

The article concludes with a preview of what’s to come. According to the University’s Athletics Policy Manual, the rugby club’s suspension will last until a final report is completed, which the Globe estimates will take 3–4 months. In the interim, the club’s season schedule has been voided, and the university will provide counseling services to all students involved.

The Globe notes that the university may face financial penalties if the investigation finds that the institution failed to report hazing in a timely manner. The article also highlights the potential impact on URI’s recruiting: prospective student‑athletes might reconsider attending a school that has recently faced hazing allegations.

The final section of the report provides a brief list of actions that other universities could adopt to prevent similar situations:

1. Mandatory hazing education for all student‑athletes.
2. Clear whistle‑blower policies that protect reporters from retaliation.
3. Independent oversight of club sports to ensure compliance with university standards.
4. Transparent reporting mechanisms for misconduct.

Bottom Line

The Boston Globe’s coverage of the URI rugby club’s hazing scandal paints a sobering picture of how deeply ingrained traditions can clash with modern standards of student safety and fairness. The article underscores that the university’s immediate suspension of the rugby program is a decisive step, but it also signals a broader reckoning that many collegiate programs must face. As the investigation unfolds, it will likely serve as a critical benchmark for how U.S. universities can navigate allegations of hazing, enforce zero‑tolerance policies, and safeguard the well‑being of their student‑athletes.