Ten members of the football team were suspended last week.
Nine active players and one player off the roster were suspended for violating school and team rules. Seven of the active players are serving a two-game suspension, which included the Oct. 11 game against Ohio Dominican and the game this Saturday against Ashland. The other two members are suspended indefinitely.
“When the failures are serious, then the harm must be redressed, and commitments must be made for the future,” President Larry Arnn said Wednesday in an email. “This particular one is very serious. As we work such things out, we involve parents, counsellors, faculty, coaches–whoever can help to protect and guide the students in question.”
The 10 football players violated not only team policies but college policies, and they will be held accountable like any non-athlete, Dean of Men Aaron Petersen said.
“Any team consequences are in addition to any consequences that come from our office,” Petersen said.
The ramifications for violating school policy can include measures such as scholarship removal, community service, social probations, academic probation, suspensions, or expulsions.
Petersen said that the details of these students’ punishments are confidential.
He further explained that in cases of discipline that are more serious, deans involve student’s parents in a partnership to help young men and women make things right, as well as clergy and health professionals when appropriate.
“It can be disappointing when students make mistakes, but one of the blessings of working at Hillsdale is the ability to work with our students, their families, and the campus community so that they can learn and grow from their mistakes,” Petersen said.
As for the football team, head football coach Keith Otterbein said the team is moving forward and preparing for the home game this Saturday.
“Any time you lose guys that play it affects your football team,” Otterbein said. “We’re going to play the guys that are there. Whether it’s injury, whether it’s suspension, this is the team we’re coaching. And so as the investigation concludes we’ll see where that leads us.”
Nathanael Meadowcroft contributed to this report.
