EIU Media Relations

EIU Statement on Men’s Swimming

A statement from the University:

The university’s investigation of credible reports of hazing has concluded that members of the Men’s Swimming Team were involved in conduct that violates EIU’s hazing policy. The initial report was made by Coach Jonathan Jordan. Coach Jordan, in his second season as head coach, followed all procedures and cooperated fully with the investigation. The investigation confirmed that Coach Jordan had no prior notice or tacit awareness of hazing.

The investigation documents that first-year student-athletes were compelled to participate in activities that were characterized as student-led team “traditions” that included tasking underclassmen swimmers with creating PowerPoint presentations on topics that were manifestly inappropriate, harmful, and distasteful, often relating to topics that were sexual in nature. Further, the investigation found that PowerPoint presentations in prior years also included inappropriate content and demeaning “assignments” for first-year swimmers. Additionally, the investigation determined that some first-year student-athletes were subjected to derogatory nicknames. Finally, the investigation found that the student-athletes created a team culture promoting excessive and underage alcohol consumption that required a recent medical intervention for a first-year student-athlete.

EIU’s Men’s Swimming will resume immediately with ongoing oversight from EIU’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to ensure student-athlete wellness and compliance. Competition will resume in January. The team will participate in additional anti-hazing and alcohol abuse workshops before competition resumes. All EIU intercollegiate athletics teams will participate in similar trainings throughout the current academic year.

EIU has a zero-tolerance approach to hazing in all of its forms. The Dean of Students oversees student-standards-related discipline. Intercollegiate Athletics is responsible for determining the official roster for the remaining 2023-2024 season. As student disciplinary actions are confidential and protected under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the University cannot comment further.