Michigan hockey players sue university over decades‑old hazing allegations Sixteen former University of Michigan men's ice hockey players filed a federal lawsuit accusing coach Red Berenson and staff of allowing sexual hazing that involved forced shaving, excessive alcohol, and other abuses from 1984 to 2001. The University of Michigan faces a new lawsuit filed by sixteen former men's ice hockey players who claim they endured sexual hazing during their time on the team from 1984 to 2001. The claimants, who played under coach Red Berenson, say they were coerced into shaving genital hair, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, eating live fish, and other humiliating acts as a condition of membership. The allegation asserts that the hazing was ritualized, meticulously planned, and sadistic, and that it was required for team membership. The suit argues that Berenson was aware of the abuse and did not intervene, which constitutes a violation of university policy.The plaintiffs name the former coach and several staff members as defendants. The lawsuit was not filed until 2024, several decades after the alleged incidents. The plaintiffs argue that the law does not require reporting of hazing, and that the distance in time does not excuse the abuse. The university, which adopted an anti‑hazing policy in 1982, has defended its position by pointing to the policy's existence and the lack of reported complaints at the time.In a statement, university spokesperson Paul Corliss noted that the university was one of the first to adopt an anti‑hazing policy and that it considered itself a leader in the area. He said that any former student athlete who engaged in hazing or other misconduct was violating university policy. The suit includes a wide range of alleged abuses. One plaintiff, identified in the complaint as "John Doe 7," claims he was threatened with a blowtorch during a hazing ceremony.Another plaintiff, known as "John Doe 3," alleges that Berenson pressured him to participate by reminding him of the expectations of a "Michigan Man" and a "good teammate." Berenson, who coached the team from 1984 to 2017, declined to comment when contacted by the Associated Press but told a local reporter that he was aware of a "certain element of initiation" by seniors, although no one had protested the activities. He stated that he did not see any evidence of "direction or encouragement" from the coaching staff or the administration. The university has previously faced litigation related to sexual misconduct dating back decades.In 2020, it settled claims involving a campus sports doctor with a payment of $490 million to more than 1,000 plaintiffs. The new lawsuit joins a growing number of cases that assert institutional failure to protect athletes from abuse. The suit was filed in federal court in Detroit, and the plaintiffs sought damages for the alleged physical and emotional harm caused by the hazing. The case remains ongoing as the parties prepare for litigation.