A recent investigation by the US Justice Department revealed disturbing findings regarding the treatment of student-athletes at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). The former head swimming and diving coach, Chad Cradock, was found to have sexually harassed male athletes and discriminated against female athletes during his tenure from 2015 to 2020.
The department's 14-page letter to the university detailed instances of sexual abuse and assault suffered by male student-athletes at the hands of the head coach. Additionally, the university was criticized for its failure to address the hostile environment based on sex that these athletes were subjected to.
Allegations included incidents where the former head coach filmed students while showering and sexually touched male student-athletes in the university's aquatic center. Furthermore, the Athletics Department was found to have neglected to report several incidents of dating violence by male student-athletes against their female teammates.
UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby acknowledged the troubling findings and expressed the university's commitment to rectifying the failures and rebuilding trust within the community.
The investigation highlighted the university's inadequacy in addressing the vulnerabilities of student-athletes to sexual harassment and sex discrimination. As part of the proposed settlement agreement, UMBC has agreed to implement remedies such as enhanced training for coaching staff and a revised reporting structure for incidents of sexual misconduct.
Title IX, a crucial component of the Higher Education Act of 1972, aims to ensure equal access to opportunities for students regardless of their sex.
The Justice Department's investigation shed light on a culture within the swimming and diving team where male student-athletes felt pressured to comply with the head coach's sexual advances in exchange for coaching benefits and competitive opportunities. Female student-athletes were also subjected to degrading comments and invasive questions about their personal lives.
UMBC has publicly apologized to the affected students and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and abuse. The university encourages individuals to report any instances of misconduct to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights.
The Justice Department commended UMBC for its cooperation in the investigation and expressed optimism about working together to ensure compliance with Title IX regulations.
