New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- Sixteen former University of Michigan men's hockey players have sued the school in federal court, saying ritual sexual hazing was part of team life from 1984 to 2001 and that coaches knew and did not stop it.

The complaint, filed on Wednesday in Detroit, names only the university and its Board of Regents. The men are listed as John Does 1 through 16. Attorney Michael Pitt said the case grew out of talks among former teammates that began in 2024.

"The abuse was ritualized, meticulously planned, and sadistic. ... Enduring sexual abuse was required to be a member of the Michigan Men's Ice Hockey team," Pitt said.

The filing describes initiation rites carried out by older players on freshmen, often after heavy drinki...