Harvard condemns lewd 'scouting report' by 2012 men's soccer team

March 13, 2016: People walk near Memorial Church on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

BOSTON – Harvard University has condemned a sexually explicit document that members of the 2012 men's soccer team called their "scouting report" of the women's soccer team.

In the nine-page document, which was uncovered this week by The Harvard Crimson student newspaper, a member of the men's team rated the physical attractiveness of new recruits on the women's team, and also included their photos and lewd comments about many of them. It was circulated online among teammates.

The author, who was not identified, assigned each female recruit a nickname and a sexual position, writing that one "looks like the kind of girl who both likes to dominate, and likes to be dominated."

Other teammates weighed in on the remarks, some voicing approval. They circulated the missive on a website that could be accessed by the public until recently.

University officials said they didn't know about the document until this week. They described it as offensive and unacceptable.

"Harvard University Athletics has zero tolerance for behavior of this kind and is deeply upset by these offensive and derogatory remarks," Harvard Athletics Director Bob Scalise said in a statement. He added that sports teams are reinforcing "appropriate and respectful social behavior and team conduct" among athletes.

Chris Hamblin, coach of the women's soccer team, said the players recruited to his team in 2012 were "outstanding student-athletes and are, above all else, incredible human beings."

"The information contained in this document from 2012 is unacceptable, and I am saddened to see this level of disrespect shown to these women," he added.

Hamblin said the men's and women's teams now share a strong rapport founded on respect and support for one another.

In the document, the author refers to another "scouting report" from the year before, and The Crimson reported that it appears to have been an annual tradition among the men's team. Officials at the Ivy League school would not say whether they are investigating to determine if similar letters were circulated after 2012.

Men's soccer coach Pieter Lehrer, who was hired in 2013, said in a statement that he was "shocked and disgusted" by the document.

"I will take this opportunity to address this document from 2012 with my current athletes," he said. "I hope their seeing how offensive and hurtful this is will be a valuable lesson for everyone involved with this program."