Harvard Cancels Men's Soccer Season After Explicit 'Scouting Reports' Found
CAMBRIDGE (CBS) – Harvard University has canceled the remaining games for the men's soccer team after the school found vulgar documents.
"I am on the phone with my father, please respect me," said member of Harvard University men's soccer team.
A member of Harvard University Men's soccer team didn't want to answer questions. The University suspended the team for the rest of the season accusing them of disrespecting and degrading women players.
The school found the men's team continually participated in a sexually explicit "scouting report" where they rated the incoming women freshman players.
"Guys cross the line a lot, and I think this is one of the instances," said student Betsy Prezioso.
The Harvard men are currently ranked number one in the Ivy League. They will not play the rest of the season or be allowed to play in any championships.
"I think the severe measures had to be taken it might have been a little excessive to completely call off the team," said student Kevin Gordon.
The school newspaper, the Harvard Crimson, reported on the 2012 scouting report last week prompting the school to further investigate. Harvard found the scouting report was not just one year but continued into this season and involved more players than previously thought.
Harvard's president released a statement saying in part: "The decision to cancel a season is serious and consequential and reflects Harvard's view that both the team's behavior and the failure to be forthcoming when initially questioned are completely unacceptable."
"I think that Harvard is doing anything at all is really speaks to their commitment to make it a safe campus," said student Cate Pinto.
The six women who were the subject of the 2012 scouting report wrote an op-ed earlier this week. They say they stand by their words in response to the latest news. The op-ed said in part: "We cannot change the past, but we are asking you to help us now and in the future."
The athletics department says it will take additional steps to educate the team and athletes about what conduct is expected, and that the department has zero tolerance for this behavior.
