College wants to reshape soccer team's reputation

By Christine Byers

"When Jefferson College launched a soccer program in 2005, it got a winning team, and more. In its second season, the team gained acclaim after taking the national title. ... Off the field, however, players were among the school's athletes cited for underage drinking, loud parties and pranks. The soccer players stood alone, though, in one category: allegations of sexual assaults. ..."

"Hoping to tame the team's reputation, college administrators have since launched policy and staff changes - including firing head coach Stephen Peck, mandating more careful background checks of recruits and focusing on finding more local players. ..."

"The college added surveillance cameras around the apartments and paid Jefferson County sheriff's deputies to patrol the area. [Wayne] Watts [college President] also instituted a zero-tolerance policy for students living on campus at the end of last semester. ..."

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