Harvard Men’s Soccer Team Removed from N.S.C.A.A Amidst Scandal

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Harvard University’s number one ranked men’s soccer team has kicked up a scandal resulting in a suspension for the rest of the 2016 season. The team is under investigation due to recent findings that the members of the team made vulgar and sexual comments about the women’s soccer team, according to an article in ESPN News on November 5, 2016.

In an announcement made on Wednesday by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, (N.S.C.A.A.), the team will be removed and disqualified from consideration for annual awards, including All-Region and All-American honors. The organization cited the team’s “failure to maintain the standard of conduct.”

When the scandal broke, Robert Scalise, the Athletic Director at Harvard, emailed all student-athletes to inform the community of the situation. The team had been rating women on their sexual appeal and physical appearance. Scalise stated that the comments were “widespread across the team.”

“The team will forfeit its remaining games and will decline any opportunity to achieve an Ivy League championship or to participate in the N.C.A.A. [National Collegiate Athletic Association] Tournament this year,” Scalise’s email read.

The team only had two games left in the regular season and the potential to win the N.C.A.A.

An apology letter was issued in the Harvard Crimson by the team.

“We accept responsibility for the mistakes and serious lapses in judgment that have led us here, and, in addition to accepting the sanctions from the Athletic Department, are shifting our focus toward the concrete actions we can take to address the fundamental issue of sexism in our community,” the team wrote.

The Ivy League is now investigating the “scouting report,” rating women from 1 to 10 with descriptions of their physical traits that broke the scandal, which was obtained by the Harvard Crimson.

Junior Isabela Warlick commends Harvard for dealing with the scandal swiftly and firmly.

“Most athletes get out of trouble more easily because they are valuable to the team, but the way the school is handling the situation is very appropriate,” Warlick said.