UC Davis Suspends Baseball Program Due To Hazing Allegations

UC Davis this week placed its baseball program on suspension and the coaching staff on administrative leave while it investigates allegations of misconduct. The university initially did not specify what misconduct prompted the investigation, but on Friday as a part of a letter to the campus community, chancellor Gary S. May said the allegations are “primarily related to hazing.”

The UCD office of compliance and policy is responsible for the investigation. The university said the review of the program is expected to “last for the first couple months of the fall quarter,” which begins Sept. 22.  

May wrote in his letter that “appropriate action” will be taken at the conclusion of the investigation.

“Let me be clear that whenever there are credible allegations of misconduct of any kind, the university will take appropriate steps to review those claims,” he wrote. “The university has a posture of zero tolerance with respect to hazing. Our students’ health and well-being is our No. 1 priority.”

The Aggies this spring went 14-43 and finished in last place in the Big West at 8-32. They lost 10 of their last 11 games and finished with their worst record since 2009.

According to The Sacramento Bee, UCD athletic director Rocko DeLuca wrote in an email to incoming freshmen that while the program’s suspension won’t affect their scholarships, they are also free to explore playing elsewhere.