Details of the activities that landed the UNC-Wilmington women's swim team on probation, including underage drinking, have begun to surface as parents and athletes continue to speak out against the university-imposed sanctions. Allegations have also come out against Dean of Students Dr. Terrence Curran by the parent of a swimmer claiming Curran is on a "witch hunt" against the athletic department and UNCW athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes.

According to current and former swimmers, the incidents in question occurred during an "initiation week." From that Wednesday through Friday, upperclassmen made regular trips to University Suites to select unusual clothes for the freshmen to wear to class. On Saturday, the freshmen had their faces painted and participated in various activities, including a downtown scavenger hunt, singing in Wagoner Hall, and running through an automatic car wash near campus.

The team then went to an upperclassman's off-campus residence, where alcohol was consumed by team members, including minors.

School officials learned of the incidents and an investigation was conducted through Curran's office. Following an inquiry, it was announced last week that the program had been placed on probation for the 2004-05 academic year by Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo after a recommendation by Curran. As part of the probation, upperclassmen will not be allowed to participate in away meets the first semester, which potentially wipes out half of their season. UNCW officials say there are currently no home swim meets on its fall schedule so only freshmen and sophomores will be able to swim at away meets.

Also, the program's annual winter training trip to Florida will be canceled, sophomores, juniors and seniors will perform 50 hours of community service, and all team members will participate in specialized student-athlete welfare education programs.

Arguments have been made by those close to the team that the punishment is too severe, especially for a program considered by some to be the crown jewel of the athletic department. No UNCW swimming team has ever been investigated or placed on probation in the 27-year history of the program and the women's team has a 3.2 grade point average.

But DePaolo, defended her decision:
"My job is to protect our students and our campus and ensure safety as much as possible," DePaolo said. "And this was hazing. Our policy is against hazing; we have zero tolerance for it. This was a case of it. The response was appropriate given what the situation reported to me actually was."

In aletter to the Chancellor, Col. Robert E. Milstead, Jr. – father of freshman swimmer Melissa Milstead – noted that the punishment affects not only the upper classmen, but those who where hazed, though none of the freshmen interviewed during the investigation said they felt pressured to do anything.

"We didn't have to drink if we didn't want to," Melissa Milstead said. "Any of the activities, we didn't have to do if we didn't want to. We always had the option."

Coach Dave Allen was out of town and unavailable for comment. But he said last week he was disappointed with the decision.

"Personally, I'm going to support what the university is doing," Allen said. "But I feel that the probation is a little harsh."