Two ice hockey students sparked task force after sexual assault allegations. A task force of professors and trustees, which issued its report today, was set up after two BU hockey players were charged with sexual assault in separate incidents in December , and February Criminal charges against former player Max Nicastro, who was accused of rape, were later dropped, and Corey Trivino pleaded guilty to sexual assault.
But the task force found that the team's "elevated social status" on campus led to "frequent sexual encounters with women absent an emotional relationship or ongoing commitment. The task force said the team culture arose because hockey players are isolated from the larger population of the university in housing and activities, and in some cases get involved in alcohol and substance abuse.
Members of the Terriers ice hockey team were instructed not to give public statements on the report, according to players reached by ABC News. Mike Rosen, the father of junior forward Ben Rosen, said that he applauds the university for being proactive but thinks the assessment does not reflect the entire team. It's unfortunate that some issues with a couple of kids made the whole team look bad.
I can certainly say that about my son, but I applaud the school for taking the bull by the horns," Rosen said. In response to the findings, BU announced that head hockey coach Jack Parker would be removed from his position as Executive Athletic Director and focus only on his coaching duties. Brown said the change in Parker's status resulted from "possible breaches in NCAA rules" having to do with "the lack of clear reporting lines for the men's ice hockey program.
The report included more than a dozen other recommendations for helping to change the culture of the hockey team on campus, including opening a sexual assault center on campus and institution of a sexual assault prevention education program for the hockey team.
