The University of Ottawa (U of O) stated Jan. 16 that its men’s varsity hockey team will not play in the 2015-16 season.
The team was suspended for the 2014-15 season after an investigation was conducted and two players were charged with sexual assault in August 2014.
This further suspension of the team comes after recent news of players from the 2013-14 season launching a class-action lawsuit against U of O president Allan Rock and the university.
The school said there is no connection between the extended suspension and the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks $6 million in damages for the team members who claim to have been uninvolved with the assaults.
Media relations for the school said by email that “a decision on the status of the program was needed in order to allow the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) time to plan its schedule for the upcoming season. The University does not feel that it can currently reinstate a men’s hockey program that would meet our own expectations.”
The school is also waiting on a report from its Task Force on Respect and Equality.
The task force was established in March 2014 with a mandate to “submit specific recommendations to the President on ways to promote respectful behaviour on campus, particularly towards women,” as well as to “ensure everyone can learn and work in a setting that is free of sexual harassment and sexual violence,” according to a statement from the school.
