Keep Mean Off The Team™ was the inspiration of siblings Max and Amanda Distler three years ago. As competitive swimmers, they know the strength that comes from training with a coehsive team and the amazing accomplishments that can be achieved when working together under the guidance of a supportive coach. Throughout their swim careers, Amanda and Max felt this power most, as members of their High School Swim Team.  

 

Max decided to run with this initiative this year, concerned that the present Harrassment, Intimidation and Bullying programs were not doing the job. Keep Mean Off The Team does not attempt to identify the bully or define subjective bullying behaviors. Instead, Keep Mean off The Team attempts to make it unfashionable and ugly to be a bully and empowers athletes to deliver this message. 

 

Max hopes that if schools commit and coaches insist, then athletes will lead.  The only way to  change  school climate is to "be intolerant of intolerance." 

 

Amanda is a Junior at Wesleyan University where she continues to swim.

Max is completing his senior year at Northern Highlands Regional High School and will join Amanda at Wesleyan Univeristy this fall.