Sources tell SwimSwam that a majority of the Texas A&M men’s swimming and diving team are suspended from competition for the remainder of the fall semester due to a hazing incident.
The sources said that members of the team were encouraged to drink back-to-back in pairs with their beverages duct-taped to their hands, an old game also known as “Edward 40 Hands.” The sources added that the hazing tradition historically has never forced swimmers to drink alcohol, with options including 40-ounce malt liquors, a gallon of milk, or two-liter sodas. A neighbor not affiliated with the team apparently filmed the incident taking place in the backyard of a swim house.
There are varied reports, but most sources agree that Texas A&M freshmen are not part of the suspended group of swimmers. No sources have refuted that fact.
Texas A&M administrators did not respond to SwimSwam’s requests for comment this week.
The Aggies are slated to open their season next Friday at home against Incarnate Word. The suspended swimmers would seemingly be ineligible for the midseason Art Adamson Invitational in November, but would be back in time for dual meets against LSU and SMU in January as well as the SEC Championships in February. The Texas A&M men placed 4th at the 2023 SEC Championships behind Tennessee, Auburn, and Florida.
The Aggies are the second Power Five swimming program hit by a hazing scandal this week after Boston College suspended its men’s and women’s teams indefinitely over a series of parties earlier this month where freshmen were allegedly forced to consume their own vomit.
Okay let’s be real here, the BC thing is definitely hazing I think we can all agree. This is just college fun. I’m willing to bet that the majority of the freshmen doing this were excited to play it. Edward 40 hands happens everywhere. I don’t know how this qualifies as hazing with absolutely no evidence that anyone was forced to do anything. This is taking it a little too far to call it hazing.
After discussing this phenomenon with a valued, wise friend we pose a question to others; Why are so many teams involved in potentially dangerous hazing, “team bonding” and/or “initiation” activities?
There are many traditions of initiation at institutions which are truly bonding and healthy. However this trend of which possibly only a minority have been exposed is unsettling.
As a parent, I am concerned with, not only, the short term blowback from hazing, but also the long term psychological effect to both the hazers and hazees.
I am most concerned with the short term and long term psychological effects on those condemned for dangerous hazing that did not actually take place, for purposes of an underlying agenda.
Great point. Either legitimate or false charges are detrimental and dangerous.
What is the underlying agenda here??? Who were they suspended by? Their own coaches and/or administrators who. Clearly felt the suspension was warranted.
Jimbo Fisher effect!
This is stupid.
Again if this was the Alabama or Georgia football team they would have kept this hidden. How many years did the upper people hide about Jerry Sandusky? This happens everywhere in college but it seems like only certain teams and sports get punished.
So…we’re comparing a pedophile to a drinking game? Seems logical.
My kid is going to college next year and we’ve already started setting the stage.
1. Drinking leads to stupid sh1t
2. You don’t have to do anything you don’t wanna
3. If you wanna do it, you probably shouldn’t
4. If you gonna do it, don’t do it in public
5. If you do it, make sure it’s not your idea
6. If you gonna do it, don’t force anyone else to do it too
7. Never, ever, ever call your house “the swim house”
☝️🤓🤓
My kids is going to college next year and we’ve already started setting the stage.
1. Drinking leads to stupid shit
2. You don’t have to do anything you don’t wanna
3. If you wanna do it, you probably shouldn’t
4. If you gonna do it, don’t do it in public
5. If you do it, make sure it’s the freshmen’s idea cuz they don’t have power
6. Never, ever, ever call your house “the swim house”
I wasn’t hazed… seniors decided that they wanted to be able to cut in any line they wanted with us, as a freshmen I dared them to get between me and food. no sir… not happening.
Tough guy alert^
I like my food.