Overview
- A 74-page federal complaint was filed in Detroit on Wednesday by 16 anonymous former players who say they suffered ritualized sexualized hazing while on the University of Michigan hockey team between 1984 and 2001.
- The suit details graphic allegations such as forced genital shaving, anal penetration with razor handles, pubic hair singed with a blowtorch, helmets tied to genitals weighted with pucks, forced drinking and being made to eat live fish.
- Plaintiffs allege longtime coach Red Berenson and other staff knew of, facilitated or concealed the abuse, but the lawsuit names only the university and its Board of Regents and frames the claims as Title IX sex discrimination.
- The University of Michigan called the allegations disturbing and said many elements are misleading while denying liability, and the case is at the initial complaint stage with the university expected to respond through counsel.
- The filing follows earlier probes into Michigan athletics, including a 2022 WilmerHale review that led to Mel Pearson's ouster and a prior $490 million settlement over a former team doctor's abuse, raising new legal and reputational pressure on the program.