Tundo says he was punished for telling the truth about hazing
Honesty may not have been the best policy for Jeff Tundo.
When the 2009 Orchard Park High School graduate and sophomore on the Ohio State University men’s lacrosse team told college officials the truth about his involvement in a party, the standout athlete was indefinitely suspended from the school and the team.
His suspension made headlines on local television stations and in newspapers, but the college confirmed few details to the media.
Jeff Tundo, seen here as a senior at OPHS in 2009, was suspended from the Ohio State University men's lacrosse team.
According to Tundo, who along with his father Gene sat down for an interview with The Orchard Park Press, it started in January, when the men’s lacrosse team held its annual freshman player initiation party at the house of some of the squad’s other sophomores. At the party, freshmen were sent to the basement to participate in the program’s traditional rituals, where alcohol was allegedly consumed.
According to Tundo, one of the freshmen was having a rough time and was pulled from the initiation. He later told his resident assistant about the initiation and the information made it way up the levels of the school’s administration.
School officials, according to Tundo, brought the team members into a meeting and asked them to write down what took place at the party.
“They said, “It’s a pretty serious offense. You need to tell us everything that happened. It’ll help you in the end if you do tell the truth,’” Tundo said. “I wrote down everything that we did, everything that happened the whole night. Other kids who were involved maybe didn’t write what they did.”
Jeff Tundo contends he did not name names in his explanation of the night’s events, but he later discovered that some teammates specifically mentioned his name in their submissions.
As a result of the investigation, every member of the team was suspended for one game. Tundo sat out during the team’s opening contest against Detroit.
As the season progressed, school officials continued their investigation, according to Tundo. In early April, Tundo was informed during a hearing that he and two of his teammates would be suspended for two semesters due to their roles in the hazing of athletes. He unsuccessfully appealed the decision, claiming that the sanctions were disproportionate to the alleged activity.
Tundo admitted during the recent interview that his involvement in the incident was wrong.
“I understand how someone can get hurt during the whole situation,” said Tundo, who was Ohio State’s second highest scorer with 23 goals and 35 points, despite missing the team’s final three games. “I get that whole thing. I understand that. Obviously, I made a bad, bad decision, but at the time you don’t know that.”
However, Tundo contends his actions were no worse than those of other players who were not suspended indefinitely.
“It looks like three kids ran this initiation when it was 43 people that were in the house,” Tundo said.
“Everyone was guilty,” he added, noting that he felt pressure to maintain a team tradition that he experienced in his own freshman season. “The same activities that happened to me happened this year. Not once was anyone forced to do anything.”
Tundo said that prior to his own initiation last season, he expressed concerns to his father, who is the varsity lacrosse and football coach at Orchard Park High School.
“I said I was nervous about initiation and I’ve never been through one before,” said Jeff. Gene Tundo said he called coach Nick Myers and said: “Coach, I’m worried about Jeff’s health and safety, and I’m worried that this could be construed as hazing, and you losing your job.”
Gene Tundo says Myers indicated he would take care of the situation.
The Orchard Park Press sought comment from Ohio State University officials, but they declined to elaborate on Tundo’s suspension or his version of events. In response to an email sent to the Ohio State University Athletic Department on Monday, May 16, Dan Wallenberg, associate athletic director of communications, said: “There is nothing more we can add.”
As much as Tundo says he would like to return to Ohio State, his future is undecided. He visits Columbus to see friends, but is not allowed to be on campus. His scholarship remains in place.
“It’s hard to trust the university,” said Tundo, admitting that returning to the campus would be uncomfortable. “I just don’t think the investigation was done thoroughly and the right way. It’s hard to trust a university that you go out on the field for, you risk injury, and I try to represent them the best way I can. Obviously, this doesn’t help. I carried a 2.9 and I’ve been doing community service. I feel I’ve been representing Ohio State well.”
Gene Tundo said Ohio State should have canceled the entire season. But the school, Tundo speculates, wanted to escape further controversy after the football team dealt with suspensions of its own. Coach Jim Tressel and five players were suspended for allegedly committing NCAA violations.
“If they wanted to crack down they should’ve just ended the season,” said Gene Tundo. “I don’t think they wanted to do that, because that would’ve drawn way more attention to them.”
At Orchard Park, Jeff Tundo helped the Quakers to the Class A lacrosse championship game during his senior season. He was a two-time All-American and also led his team to the Class AA state football championship.
“I was happy and I love it at Ohio State,” said Tundo. “That’s the place I started and that’s the place I want to finish. I don’t want to have a team initiation define my career.”
Despite his desire to remain at Ohio State, it may not be an option. University officials said his suspension is “indefinite.” Tundo contends he was told it is only for two semesters.
“I’ve worked so hard to get where I am and I don’t want to cut that short, but sometimes things happen,” said Tundo.
Moving forward, at Ohio State or elsewhere, Tundo is sure he wants to play lacrosse.
“I don’t want to waste my talent and give up on everything I’ve worked for since I was four years old,” said Tundo. “I’d sure like to keep playing lacrosse in college and finish it off. I want to make a trip to the (NCAA) tournament.”
Even if he doesn’t return to Ohio State, Tundo said he is confident he can find a school at which he can utilize his talents and excel in the classroom. He isn’t worried his suspension will negatively impact his future.
“I think there are plenty of coaches who would want me,” he said. “I mean, they (Ohio State) still want me to go there. I don’t think it’s ruined my future at all. I’ve told the truth and I was a great teammate. Anyone you tell that to will understand.”
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