Volleyball co-captain says silence fuelled hazing rumors

Brett Lewis has nothing to hide. The  co-captain of the volleyball team’s one regret, besides losing his teammate, is that he followed the advice of university administrators who asked him to keep quiet.

Brett Lewis, co-captain of the volleyball team says the university let him down (Facebook)

Lewis says the entire team was asked not to speak to the media following the death of rookie Andrew Bartlett after a team party. He trusted the university to represent him and his teammates, but now he says he feels let down.

“The people who suggested we keep quiet and said that they would handle it didn’t do so,” says Lewis, who feels the university should have made a statement on behalf of the volleyball team early on.

At the time, the administration said there would be no comment from the athletic department, but it did not tell student athletes they couldn’t talk.

Six weeks ago, Lewis and his teammates organized a rookie party. As team co-captain, Lewis says he was unofficially in charge. After the party, Bartlett was driven home by a teammate. The next morning he was found dead by police in a stairwell in his apartment building.

Police have ruled Bartlett’s death an accident. In a statement released Dec. 8, police spokesman Rick Mooney said alcohol was a factor in an accidental fall. The investigation concluded no criminal wrongdoing but revealed few other details.

St. Thomas University also concluded their investigation that day and president Dennis Cochrane said the university found evidence of hazing on the volleyball team. He told media that Lewis and his teammates broke school policy by treating rookies and veterans differently. As punishment, the team has been suspended from the league for the rest of the season.

It didn’t take long for rumours of hazing to surface after Bartlett’s death. An article published on the New Brunswick Beacon alleged Bartlett and other volleyball rookies participated in initiation rituals at a team party, which started in Harrington Hall and later moved off campus.

Amidst speculation and media attention, Lewis says the team was advised not to speak to the media, a decision he now regrets.

“A matter of days after the incident there should have been some form of address whether it was from the university, from the coaching staff or from myself. I think something should have been done to better address the issue because the silence added fuel to the rumours and allowed skeptics to assume the worst.”

It was difficult for Lewis to stay tight lipped as people speculated whether or not the events at that party led to Andrew’s death. But the university also stayed silent. In a short statement to the press, Cochrane said the university was investigating allegations of hazing.

“We are going to get to the bottom of what allegedly happened,” said Cochrane.

But according to Lewis, nothing sinister happened at the party. Rookies were asked to bring costumes and he admits lots of alcohol was present. But he says no one was humiliated or berated and no one was forced to participate. Lewis insists everyone had a good time, even Bartlett.

“I remember, I have a vivid detail of the night this year and of Andrew with his arm around me, making fun of me and laughing and carrying on for a while,” says Lewis. “I think Andrew had a really good time.”

Lewis acknowledges there’s much secrecy around rookie parties, but he says the atmosphere at this party was congratulatory.

“It was all very positive and it was even that way back when I was a rookie and it wasn’t like, ‘Ha ha look at these rookies.’ … It was congratulatory you almost felt good to be a rookie…you were excited to be involved with this type of scenario.”

Rookies could opt out of the activities and Lewis says some of them did.

“There’s a couple times when guys came up to me and said, ‘You know I don’t want to do that,’ and I said ‘well you’re 21 … you decide for yourself.’”

As for drinking, Lewis says he personally kept an eye on his teammates to make sure they weren’t overdoing it.

“There were times during the night that I told certain guys, veterans included, ‘Hey buddy you should slow down a little bit.’”

Lewis says at no point did he think he would need to stop the party because things were out of control.

***

But the media didn’t hear Lewis’ side of the story. Weeks passed with no statement about Bartlett or the team party from STU. In the meantime, the story garnered national attention as the public waited for an official police report.

As Bartlett’s case got more attention, so did the team.

“A lot of the guys had a real hard time with it, just being scapegoated and borderline shunned,” said Lewis, who describes receiving some “longer than usual stares” during that time.

He tried to focus on volleyball. The team played an exhibition tournament just six days after the passing of their teammate and Lewis admits it was hard to muster the enthusiasm and energy to get back on the court.

“It was really frustrating because we had the talent or ability to be a good team, but it couldn’t produce on the court just because there was so much going on. We kept going to practices, kept playing our games.”

Lewis found encouragement in Bartlett’s parents, who told the team to keep playing.

It seemed like things were getting better until the suspension of the team was announced this week. After all their hard work to get back on the court, Lewis says the news felt like a slap in the face.

“It probably would have been a lot better to have just not played at all.”

But Lewis wasn’t surprised at the severity of the punishment. He feels that by keeping silent the school unintentionally encouraged speculation about hazing, which in turn meant a harsh punishment for the team.

“Because of how things were handled they ran out of options,” says Lewis. “Things were handled poorly from the beginning.”

Lewis says he has found support from a lot of faculty, staff and students at the university.

However, he says the people he trusted to tell his side of the story kept quiet and as a result he’s not only lost a teammate but an entire team.

“Everyone makes mistakes, us included, it just seems like we’re also paying for their mistakes too.”

Brett Lewis has nothing to hide. The  co-captain of the volleyballBrett Lewis has nothing to hide. The  co-captain of the volleyballBrett Lewis has nothing to hide. The  co-captain of the volleyball

team’s one regret, besides losing his teammate, is that he followedteam’s one regret, besides losing his teammate, is that he followedteam’s one regret, besides losing his teammate, is that he followed

the advice of university administrators who asked him to keepthe advice of university administrators who asked him to keepthe advice of university administrators who asked him to keep

quiet.quiet.quiet.

Lewis says the entire team was asked not to speak to the mediaLewis says the entire team was asked not to speak to the mediaLewis says the entire team was asked not to speak to the mediafollowing the death of rookie Andrew Bartlett after a team party.following the death of rookie Andrew Bartlett after a team party.following the death of rookie Andrew Bartlett after a team party.He trusted the university to represent him and his teammates, butHe trusted the university to represent him and his teammates, butHe trusted the university to represent him and his teammates, butnow he says he feels let down.now he says he feels let down.now he says he feels let down.

“The people who suggested we keep quiet and said that they would handle“The people who suggested we keep quiet and said that they would handle“The people who suggested we keep quiet and said that they would handleit didn’t do so,” says Lewis, who feels the university should haveit didn’t do so,” says Lewis, who feels the university should haveit didn’t do so,” says Lewis, who feels the university should havemade a statement on behalf of the volleyball team early on.made a statement on behalf of the volleyball team early on.made a statement on behalf of the volleyball team early on.

At the time, the administration said thereAt the time, the administration said thereAt the time, the administration said therewould be no comment from the athletic department, but it didwould be no comment from the athletic department, but it didwould be no comment from the athletic department, but it didnot tell student athletes they couldn’t talk.not tell student athletes they couldn’t talk.not tell student athletes they couldn’t talk.

Six weeks ago, Lewis and his teammates organized a rookieSix weeks ago, Lewis and his teammates organized a rookieSix weeks ago, Lewis and his teammates organized a rookieparty. As team co-captain, Lewis says he was unofficially in charge.party. As team co-captain, Lewis says he was unofficially in charge.party. As team co-captain, Lewis says he was unofficially in charge.After the party, Bartlett was driven home by a teammate. TheAfter the party, Bartlett was driven home by a teammate. TheAfter the party, Bartlett was driven home by a teammate. Thenext morning he was found dead by police in a stairwell in hisnext morning he was found dead by police in a stairwell in hisnext morning he was found dead by police in a stairwell in hisapartment building.apartment building.apartment building.

Police have ruled Bartlett’s death an accident. In a statementPolice have ruled Bartlett’s death an accident. In a statementPolice have ruled Bartlett’s death an accident. In a statementreleased Dec. 8, police spokesman Rick Mooney said released Dec. 8, police spokesman Rick Mooney said released Dec. 8, police spokesman Rick Mooney said alcohol was a factor in an accidental fall. The investigationalcohol was a factor in an accidental fall. The investigationalcohol was a factor in an accidental fall. The investigationconcluded no criminal wrongdoing but revealed few other details.concluded no criminal wrongdoing but revealed few other details.concluded no criminal wrongdoing but revealed few other details.

St. Thomas University also concluded their investigation that day and president Dennis Cochrane said the university found evidenceSt. Thomas University also concluded their investigation that day and president Dennis Cochrane said the university found evidenceSt. Thomas University also concluded their investigation that day and president Dennis Cochrane said the university found evidenceof hazing on the volleyball team. He told media that Lewis and hisof hazing on the volleyball team. He told media that Lewis and hisof hazing on the volleyball team. He told media that Lewis and histeammates broke school policy by treating rookies and veteransteammates broke school policy by treating rookies and veteransteammates broke school policy by treating rookies and veteransdifferently. As punishment, the team has been suspended from the league for thedifferently. As punishment, the team has been suspended from the league for thedifferently. As punishment, the team has been suspended from the league for therest of the season.rest of the season.rest of the season.

It didn’t take long for rumours of hazing to surface after Bartlett’sIt didn’t take long for rumours of hazing to surface after Bartlett’sIt didn’t take long for rumours of hazing to surface after Bartlett’sdeath. An article published on the New Brunswick Beacon allegeddeath. An article published on the New Brunswick Beacon allegeddeath. An article published on the New Brunswick Beacon allegedBartlett and other volleyball rookies participated in initiationBartlett and other volleyball rookies participated in initiationBartlett and other volleyball rookies participated in initiationrituals at a team party, which started in Harrington Hall and laterrituals at a team party, which started in Harrington Hall and laterrituals at a team party, which started in Harrington Hall and latermoved off campus.moved off campus.moved off campus.

Amidst speculation and media attention, Lewis says the team wasAmidst speculation and media attention, Lewis says the team wasAmidst speculation and media attention, Lewis says the team wasadvised not to speak to the media, a decision he now regrets.advised not to speak to the media, a decision he now regrets.advised not to speak to the media, a decision he now regrets.

“A matter of days after the incident there should have been some“A matter of days after the incident there should have been some“A matter of days after the incident there should have been someform of address whether it was from the university, from theform of address whether it was from the university, from theform of address whether it was from the university, from thecoaching staff or from myself. I think something should have beencoaching staff or from myself. I think something should have beencoaching staff or from myself. I think something should have beendone to better address the issue because the silence added fuel to the rumours and allowed skeptics to assume the worst.”done to better address the issue because the silence added fuel to the rumours and allowed skeptics to assume the worst.”done to better address the issue because the silence added fuel to the rumours and allowed skeptics to assume the worst.”

It was difficult for Lewis to stay tight lipped as people speculatedIt was difficult for Lewis to stay tight lipped as people speculatedIt was difficult for Lewis to stay tight lipped as people speculatedwhether or not the events at that party led to Andrew’s death. Butwhether or not the events at that party led to Andrew’s death. Butwhether or not the events at that party led to Andrew’s death. Butthe university also stayed silent. In a short statement to the press,the university also stayed silent. In a short statement to the press,the university also stayed silent. In a short statement to the press,Cochrane said the university was investigating allegations ofCochrane said the university was investigating allegations ofCochrane said the university was investigating allegations ofhazing.hazing.hazing.

“We are going to get to the bottom of what allegedly happened,”“We are going to get to the bottom of what allegedly happened,”“We are going to get to the bottom of what allegedly happened,”said Cochrane.said Cochrane.said Cochrane.

But according to Lewis, nothing sinister happened at the party.But according to Lewis, nothing sinister happened at the party.But according to Lewis, nothing sinister happened at the party.Rookies were asked to bring costumes and he admits lots ofRookies were asked to bring costumes and he admits lots ofRookies were asked to bring costumes and he admits lots ofalcohol was present. But he says no one was humiliated or berated and noalcohol was present. But he says no one was humiliated or berated and noalcohol was present. But he says no one was humiliated or berated and noone was forced to participate. Lewis insists everyone had a goodone was forced to participate. Lewis insists everyone had a goodone was forced to participate. Lewis insists everyone had a goodtime, even Bartlett.time, even Bartlett.time, even Bartlett.

“I remember, I have a vivid detail of the night this year and of“I remember, I have a vivid detail of the night this year and of“I remember, I have a vivid detail of the night this year and ofAndrew with his arm around me, making fun of me and laughingAndrew with his arm around me, making fun of me and laughingAndrew with his arm around me, making fun of me and laughingand carrying on for a while,” says Lewis. “I think Andrew had aand carrying on for a while,” says Lewis. “I think Andrew had aand carrying on for a while,” says Lewis. “I think Andrew had areally good time.”really good time.”really good time.”

Lewis acknowledges there’s much secrecy around rookie parties,Lewis acknowledges there’s much secrecy around rookie parties,Lewis acknowledges there’s much secrecy around rookie parties,but he says the atmosphere at this party was congratulatory.but he says the atmosphere at this party was congratulatory.but he says the atmosphere at this party was congratulatory.

“It was all very positive and it was even that way back when I“It was all very positive and it was even that way back when I“It was all very positive and it was even that way back when Iwas a rookie and it wasn’t like, ‘Ha ha look at these rookies.’ … Itwas a rookie and it wasn’t like, ‘Ha ha look at these rookies.’ … Itwas a rookie and it wasn’t like, ‘Ha ha look at these rookies.’ … Itwas congratulatory you almost felt good to be a rookie…you werewas congratulatory you almost felt good to be a rookie…you werewas congratulatory you almost felt good to be a rookie…you wereexcited to be involved with this type of scenario.”excited to be involved with this type of scenario.”excited to be involved with this type of scenario.”

Rookies could opt out of the activities and Lewis says some ofRookies could opt out of the activities and Lewis says some ofRookies could opt out of the activities and Lewis says some ofthem did.them did.them did.

“There’s a couple times when guys came up to me and said, ‘You“There’s a couple times when guys came up to me and said, ‘You“There’s a couple times when guys came up to me and said, ‘Youknow I don’t want to do that,’ and I said ‘well you’re 21 … youknow I don’t want to do that,’ and I said ‘well you’re 21 … youknow I don’t want to do that,’ and I said ‘well you’re 21 … youdecide for yourself.’”decide for yourself.’”decide for yourself.’”

As for drinking, Lewis says he personally kept an eye on hisAs for drinking, Lewis says he personally kept an eye on hisAs for drinking, Lewis says he personally kept an eye on histeammates to make sure they weren’t overdoing it.teammates to make sure they weren’t overdoing it.teammates to make sure they weren’t overdoing it.

“There were times during the night that I told certain guys,“There were times during the night that I told certain guys,“There were times during the night that I told certain guys,veterans included, ‘Hey buddy you should slow down a little bit.’”veterans included, ‘Hey buddy you should slow down a little bit.’”veterans included, ‘Hey buddy you should slow down a little bit.’”

Lewis says at no point did he think he would need to stop the party because things were out of control.Lewis says at no point did he think he would need to stop the party because things were out of control.Lewis says at no point did he think he would need to stop the party because things were out of control.

*********

But the media didn’t hear Lewis’ side of the story. Weeks passedBut the media didn’t hear Lewis’ side of the story. Weeks passedBut the media didn’t hear Lewis’ side of the story. Weeks passedwith no statement about Bartlett or the team party from STU. Inwith no statement about Bartlett or the team party from STU. Inwith no statement about Bartlett or the team party from STU. Inthe meantime, the story garnered national attention as the publicthe meantime, the story garnered national attention as the publicthe meantime, the story garnered national attention as the publicwaited for an official police report.waited for an official police report.waited for an official police report.

As Bartlett’s case got more attention, so did the team.As Bartlett’s case got more attention, so did the team.As Bartlett’s case got more attention, so did the team.

“A lot of the guys had a real hard time with it, just being“A lot of the guys had a real hard time with it, just being“A lot of the guys had a real hard time with it, just beingscapegoated and borderline shunned,” said Lewis, who describesscapegoated and borderline shunned,” said Lewis, who describesscapegoated and borderline shunned,” said Lewis, who describesreceiving some “longer than usual stares” during that time.receiving some “longer than usual stares” during that time.receiving some “longer than usual stares” during that time.

He tried to focus on volleyball. The team played an exhibitionHe tried to focus on volleyball. The team played an exhibitionHe tried to focus on volleyball. The team played an exhibitiontournament just six days after the passing of their teammate andtournament just six days after the passing of their teammate andtournament just six days after the passing of their teammate andLewis admits it was hard to muster the enthusiasm and energy toLewis admits it was hard to muster the enthusiasm and energy toLewis admits it was hard to muster the enthusiasm and energy toget back on the court.get back on the court.get back on the court.

“It was really frustrating because we had the talent or ability to be“It was really frustrating because we had the talent or ability to be“It was really frustrating because we had the talent or ability to bea good team, but it couldn’t produce on the court just because therea good team, but it couldn’t produce on the court just because therea good team, but it couldn’t produce on the court just because therewas so much going on. We kept going to practices, keptwas so much going on. We kept going to practices, keptwas so much going on. We kept going to practices, keptplaying our games.”playing our games.”playing our games.”

Lewis found encouragement in Bartlett’s parents, who told theLewis found encouragement in Bartlett’s parents, who told theLewis found encouragement in Bartlett’s parents, who told theteam to keep playing.team to keep playing.team to keep playing.

It seemed like things were getting better until the suspension of theIt seemed like things were getting better until the suspension of theIt seemed like things were getting better until the suspension of theteam was announced this week. After all their hard work to get back on the court, Lewis says theteam was announced this week. After all their hard work to get back on the court, Lewis says theteam was announced this week. After all their hard work to get back on the court, Lewis says thenews felt like a slap in the face.news felt like a slap in the face.news felt like a slap in the face.

“It probably would have been a lot better to have just not played at all.”“It probably would have been a lot better to have just not played at all.”“It probably would have been a lot better to have just not played at all.”

But Lewis wasn’t surprised at the severity of the punishment. HeBut Lewis wasn’t surprised at the severity of the punishment. HeBut Lewis wasn’t surprised at the severity of the punishment. Hefeels that by keeping silent the school unintentionally encouraged speculationfeels that by keeping silent the school unintentionally encouraged speculationfeels that by keeping silent the school unintentionally encouraged speculationabout hazing, which in turn meant a harsh punishment for theabout hazing, which in turn meant a harsh punishment for theabout hazing, which in turn meant a harsh punishment for theteam.team.team.

“Because of how things were handled they ran out of options,”“Because of how things were handled they ran out of options,”“Because of how things were handled they ran out of options,”says Lewis. “Things were handled poorly from the beginning.”says Lewis. “Things were handled poorly from the beginning.”says Lewis. “Things were handled poorly from the beginning.”

Lewis says he has found support from a lot of faculty, staff andLewis says he has found support from a lot of faculty, staff andLewis says he has found support from a lot of faculty, staff andstudents at the university.students at the university.students at the university.

However, he says the people he trusted to tell his side of the storyHowever, he says the people he trusted to tell his side of the storyHowever, he says the people he trusted to tell his side of the storykept quiet and as a result he’s not only lost a teammate but ankept quiet and as a result he’s not only lost a teammate but ankept quiet and as a result he’s not only lost a teammate but anentire team.entire team.entire team.

“Everyone makes mistakes, us included, it just seems like we’re also paying for“Everyone makes mistakes, us included, it just seems like we’re also paying for“Everyone makes mistakes, us included, it just seems like we’re also paying fortheir mistakes too.”their mistakes too.”their mistakes too.”