Lawsuit Alleges Failure to Protect
A former St. Joseph's University baseball player has filed a lawsuit alleging assault and hazing by teammates during a March team trip, claiming the university and its coaching staff failed to protect him and did not impose meaningful discipline on the accused.
The complaint, brought by plaintiff Tom Caputo, details violent and sexually humiliating rituals that occurred during a spring excursion in Patchogue, New York, and cites a prior incident in which teammates tried to kick down a hotel room door as evidence of a pattern of aggressive behavior.
An internal investigation conducted by St. Joseph's University corroborated the victim's account, confirming that the hazing rituals were both severe and sustained.
University's Response
While the university maintains an anti‑hazing policy, attorneys for the plaintiff argue that the policy was not effectively implemented or enforced in this case, leaving the plaintiff to seek compensatory and punitive damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and the setbacks to his education and athletic career.
James Kelly, a university spokesperson, declined to comment on the pending litigation.