CHICAGO
Northwestern University suspended its women’s soccer team from all athletic activities Monday pending an investigation of alleged hazing involving players last year. A Web site on Monday displayed pictures allegedly of Northwestern soccer players clad only in T-shirts and underwear — some with blindfolds on and others with their hands tied behind their backs. Other women had words or pictures scrawled on their bodies and clothes, and it appeared some were drinking alcohol.
A statement from Northwestern’s athletic director, Mark Murphy, said the school learned of an alleged incident Monday, adding that school policy prohibits hazing.
The statement did not provide details about the alleged incident and did not refer to any Web site photographs.
“If the investigation shows that there has been a violation of Northwestern’s policies, appropriate sanctions will be imposed and the athletic department may take additional action as well. I have asked all athletic department staff, team coaches and members of the team to cooperate fully in the investigation,” the statement read.
The university’s Division of Student Affairs will conduct the investigation.
Currently, no players have been suspended, and “No punishments will be made until after the investigation is complete,” said athletics department spokesman Mike Wolf.
Monday’s suspension is the “the buzz on campus,” says the sports editor of Northwestern’s student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern.
