Harvard is trying to improve the culture of its women’s hockey program following the retirement of long-time head coach Katey Stone. Harvard athletic director Erin McDermott said the school will try to improve the program months after reports that there was a culture of hazing and abuse under Stone’s leadership.
Former players accused Stone of verbal abuse, being tolerant of hazing rituals, and pressuring them to return from injury before they were ready. Stone never directly addressed the allegations, but she retired in June after 27 seasons on the job.
In a statement, McDermott said the women’s team never “fostered a culture of hazing,” but the school would take steps to make sure instances of mistreatment are no longer a problem in the future.
“Our current women’s ice hockey team has not fostered a culture of hazing,” McDermott said in a statement. “However, it is clear that some traditions in recent years were experienced differently by different people and…
