Michigan hockey players sue university over decades‑old hazing allegations

Sixteen former Michigan hockey players have filed a lawsuit against the university and its Board of Regents, alleging that sexual hazing practices were a systematic part of the program from the mid‑1980s through the late 1990s. The complaint, filed in 2024, claims that teammates endured forced shaving of their genitals and other abuses during that period. The players, who were on athletic scholarships, say the hazing was not isolated but a recurring ritual.

The 72‑page complaint names former coach Red Berenson 79 times and alleges he failed to report what players were doing. It states that Berenson taught freshmen to shave from the neck down, with evidence hidden beneath clothing, and that hazing took place privately inside hockey facilities. The lawsuit also names assistant coach Mel Pearson, trainers, and equipment staff as witnesses.

Plaintiffs seek past and future damages, punitive and liquidated damages, attorney fees and costs, and other equitable relief. The university responded, noting it adopted an anti‑hazing policy in 1982 and denies responsibility. The case could influence Michigan’s athletic program and its policies on hazing.

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