AFA SWIM TEAM SENT HOME

[Wishful]

https://swimswam.com/11-swimmers-removed-air-force-academy-mens-team/

 

[Capri120]

Not a good day

 

[sherrie]

When they say sent home. Does that mean they were kicked out of the academy or sent back to the academy?

 

[JakobF]

Darn that's bad news. Any idea why?

 

[Smalltowngirl]

When they say sent home. Does that mean they were kicked out of the academy or sent back to the academy?

The way I read it, it was sent back to the Academy?? We know a senior on the team, but don’t know any details.☹️

 

[MidwestDad]

First response is return to CO Springs pending review and final determination of discipline etc. They wouldn't make a separation determination on the spot at an away meet. Could be a foregone conclusion depending on nature of the behavior but will still take some due process before any official action.

So for now 'sent home' means just that.

 

[Capri120]

This article seems to provide a little more insight...

http://gazette.com/1604869/11-afa-c...ring-misconduct-investigation/article/1621496

And, BTW, "first shirt/first snow" is still active at the Academy.

 

[NavyHoops]

Be interesting to follow this. They could or done something huge or something that is more related to breaking team rules than a major conduct violation. Also, it said 9 of 11... so 2 weren’t swimming or maybe team trainers of some kind?

 

[knownothing]

Hazing? Really?? This is still happening??? I hope that is not the case again here. Pardon me for saying so, but IMHO the USAFA administrators need to quit the #NCLS2018 grandstanding and fix this $#!+ which goes on under their collective noses once and for all.

 

[Capri120]

Hazing? Really?? This is still happening??? I hope that is not the case again here. Pardon me for saying so, but IMHO the USAFA administrators need to quit the #NCLS2018 grandstanding and fix this $#!+ which goes on under their collective noses once and for all.

I don't think it so much that it is still happening, in so much as the new definition of hazing. Many would be amazed at what is considered hazing these days. It seems our society has redefined hazing, bullying, etc. to include some very innocuous actions. I'm not saying the swimmers actions were this trivial, but, I think your reaction is a bit melodramatic.

 

[c17hopeful]

And, BTW, "first shirt/first snow" is still active at the Academy.

Barely. Not at all the way it is described in this article. Probably because of the new definitions of hazing.

 

[SMP]

Be interesting to follow this. They could or done something huge or something that is more related to breaking team rules than a major conduct violation. Also, it said 9 of 11... so 2 weren’t swimming or maybe team trainers of some kind?

It's possible that the two that weren't at the conference meet didn't make the travel squad. There's typically a limit on the number of swimmers from each team that can compete.
According to a poster on a swimming website, the investigation has been ongoing since December. https://swimswam.com/11-swimmers-removed-air-force-academy-mens-team/

 

[NavyHoops]

Thanks SMP. Figured that could be the reason also.

 

[Alaskan]

Hazing? Really?? This is still happening??? I hope that is not the case again here. Pardon me for saying so, but IMHO the USAFA administrators need to quit the #NCLS2018 grandstanding and fix this $#!+ which goes on under their collective noses once and for all.

I don't think it so much that it is still happening, in so much as the new definition of hazing. Many would be amazed at what is considered hazing these days. It seems our society has redefined hazing, bullying, etc. to include some very innocuous actions. I'm not saying the swimmers actions were this trivial, but, I think your reaction is a bit melodramatic.

Hazing serves a purpose. Of course it all needs to be legal and done safely. It’s a rite of passage.

 

[BlahuKahuna]

Hazing serves a purpose. Of course it all needs to be legal and done safely. It’s a rite of passage.

Strictly speaking, hazing can't be "legal." Unless it's changed in the last year, hazing is a presumptive disenrollment offense at USAFA, and the definition they use is the DoD's definition.

Don't confuse hazing with difficult training. The DoD has specifically prohibited hazing, and while we can argue whether or not the intensity pendulum has swung too far in the "wrong" direction, there is some nonsense that was supposedly commonplace at USAFA that has been removed for good reason. I have some faith that if an event/practice at USAFA has enough training value, it'll be protected/restored, but I don't think there's anything wrong with using a critical eye, even if looking at one of the academy's sacred training cows.

Regardless, whatever scandal this is, odds are it's fairly isolated to the swim team. I don't know if I think hosting NCLS and conducting a conduct investigation for a relatively small group of athletes are mutually exclusive actions for USAFA leadership.

 

[Velocity2012]

A championship travel squad consists of 24 swimmers; divers count as 1/2 swimmer (no idea why). I feel devastated for all concerned - yet fully recognize and support the action as future leaders must be held accountable. The new leadership took prompt action and should be commended for their action.

It is devastating to the team as a whole - those left behind at the championship without their teammates who have worked so hard, 4 hours a day/year preparing for the championship as they have no chance of retaining the the title at and those that were sent home under investigation - who ultimately may or may not have committed an offense.

I pray for a speedy and accurate investigation, and that those swimmers left at the championship do their best to represent the Falcons in this challenging situation. #aimhigh

 

[Dolphin112]

As we all know society has changed, and what was acceptable in the past is often no longer looked at the same way. What we can all be happy about is that the AFA Leadership is taking quick direct action and we can all hope and pray that it is appropriate and not something driven by what is politically correct. In addition lets say an extra prayer that all the IC teams, the clubs, and intramurals learn from this and what happened to the Lacrosse team that some traditions need to be rethought.

 

[knownothing]

Regardless, whatever scandal this is, odds are it's fairly isolated to the swim team. I don't know if I think hosting NCLS and conducting a conduct investigation for a relatively small group of athletes are mutually exclusive actions for USAFA leadership.

Agreed. Yet, it's hard to understand how an organization that spends so much time (based on their literature and social media) talking about character, leadership, ethics and respect for human dignity could still be wrestling with scandals on what seems to be some regularity. The irony is glaring, which makes me wonder where the priorities are... is it public relations? or effective leadership of (not completely mature) students?

 

[Alaskan]

Regardless, whatever scandal this is, odds are it's fairly isolated to the swim team. I don't know if I think hosting NCLS and conducting a conduct investigation for a relatively small group of athletes are mutually exclusive actions for USAFA leadership.

Agreed. Yet, it's hard to understand how an organization that spends so much time (based on their literature and social media) talking about character, leadership, ethics and respect for human dignity could still be wrestling with scandals on what seems to be some regularity. The irony is glaring, which makes me wonder where the priorities are... is it public relations? or effective leadership of (not completely mature) students?

Sending home 11 cadets is definitely “dealing with it”. Most schools this happens and you’d never hear about it. I don’t get any glare of irony.

 

[USMCGrunt]

Not sure I agree Alaskan. You may not intend it, but it sounds like a “holier than thou” position statement.