Lawsuit Over Hazing Scandal at Seton Hall University

Before reading, please note that there is mention of sexual abuse, physical assault, and other aggravated assaults in this writing. Viewer's discretion is advised.

Former baseball player (Plaintiff; Plaintiff will be referred to as John Doe as is presented in legal documents) for Seton Hall University filed a massive lawsuit against Seton Hall University, Rob Sheppard (Sheppard) (head baseball coach), and former teammates J.D, J.T, and A.S. due to severe hazing, abuse, and misconduct that took place in his little time as a part of the SHU baseball program (August-September 2024). Hazing is described as humiliating/dangerous "initiation rituals," specifically brought about by college students looking to join a fraternity/sorority.

These incidents included sexual exposure, physical assault, and even sexualized rituals. It is stated in legal documents that. 

"Seton Hall University's deliberate indifference to pervasive hazing in its baseball program, driven by gender stereotypes that minimize male hazing as 'boys being boys' constitutes intentional discrimination against male student-athletes, in violation of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. & 1681 et seq.). Defendants' actions and inactions also violate New Jersey's Anti-Hazing Law (N.J.S.A 2C:40-3), and common law principles of negligence, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress".

At the time of these events, John Doe was enrolled as a Freshman and was 17 years old.

While John Doe seeks compensation for damage, punitive damages, injunctive relief, attorneys' fees, and other relief that is deemed just, Seton Hall University must address its wrongs not just against John Doe but every student-athlete-male or female- that may have been put through this while attending the institution. 

Seton Hall University, being a private, non-profit educational institution, is described financially as "receiving federal financial assistance," which subjects the institution as a whole to Title IX. John Sheppard, in both his individual and official capacities, is being sued as the "Head Baseball Coach" for SHU. 

John Doe's journey into SHU started while he was a high school student in Suffolk County, New York. Pitching Coach Jimmy Moran had actively recruited him by attending games of the Plaintiff, participating in prospect camps, phone calls, and more. It is important to note that the Plaintiff met the defendant, Sheppard, only on campus to receive an official scholarship offer and to sign the offer as a commitment in August 2024. When recruiting Doe, SHU promoted both its baseball and academic programs. The recruiter ensured that Doe noted the values of leadership, teamwork, and personal growth in the materials given to him and his family. In said materials that were given, there was nothing admitted about known risks of hazing and misconduct within the baseball program. It appears that the failure to include information on the dangers of hazing and similar activities essentially encouraged the Plaintiff to continue with the program. 

With information and belief, it is thought that SHU has prior knowledge of incidents of hazing, such as the one John Doe is currently filing. Despite this knowledge, SHU has failed to ensure that there are effective anti-hazing policies, train coaches, and warn prospective student-athletes, particularly male student-athletes, of these risks. It is stated that AHU maintained a much more "aggressive practice of responding with deliberate indifference" with female student-athletes than males.  They used gender stereotypes when it came to teams such as the baseball teams, that it was a "masculine rite of passage" while stating that the same actions in female programs were intolerable. Not only has this created a hostile educational environment but also a place that is not safe for student-athletes mental and physical health. It is also stated that Seton Hall has failed to train coaches and coaching staff on recognizing and preventing gender-based hazing.

When John Doe touched down on campus, Doe was informed by an upperclassman about a "team tradition." This "tradition" required all first-year students to shave their heads. On "move-in day," the Plaintiff was teased and shown pictures of other first-year students who had "complied," which created a sense of intimidation. A couple of weeks had passed when the defendant, J.D., told the Plaintiff to expose his genital areas, stating, "We've got to see what you've got down there." While Doe tried to change the subject and deflect, he was coerced into pulling his pants down. Degrading comments and laughs had erupted in the locker room. 

After that, Doe had been put into a makeshift "wrestling match" against A.S. While being slammed and choked, Plaintiff suffered cuts and scars along his body, spit blood from his mouth, and struggled to return to his dorm. Following that, the Plaintiff's father contacted the defendant, Sheppard, to report the incidents of hazing, yet failed to investigate the situation further or implement discipline for those involved. Doe was labeled as a "rat" to the team in a group chat, including defendant J.T., who accused him of reporting the incident to the coach. This led to him being excluded from events, ignored, and singled out from the rest of his team, causing extreme emotional distress. 

Throughout the month of September, Doe is said to have witnessed a "Lotus" ritual. In which teammates, including J.D. and J.T., lay naked in the locker room and perform inappropriate actions as a "joke." When Doe refused to participate, he was isolated even more. Other "initiation rituals" include drinking and naked wrestling. This led Doe to fear for his academic and athletic career. After consulting with his parents, he decided it was in his best interest to leave the institution altogether. 

These disturbing allegations brought by John Doe against Seton Hall University, the baseball program, and specific teammates showcase why the institution needs to take accountability. Along with accountability, there also needs to be a cultural change in college athletics. Traumatic experiences endured by John Doe (a 17-year-old minor at the time) show that despite the university highlighting leadership, teamwork, and personal growth, there are flaws in the way the team goes about it. If proven guilty, the university's reliance on gender stereotypes not only violates federal and state laws but also the trust that students give them. This is not about justice for one student, but for all students who have faced something profound in their collegiate careers. It is a call to action for all academic institutions to get rid of toxic traditions, regardless of gender.

Tatyana Da Silva

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Writer