ITHACA, N.Y., Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Cornell University in upstate New York has canceled its men's lacrosse season, suspending the team for a hazing incident, university officials said Thursday.
John Carberry, a university spokesman, said freshmen not old enough to drink legally were forced to consume alcohol, USA Today reported.
"On Sept. 13, the Cornell men's lacrosse team was placed on temporary suspension pending appropriate sanctions for a team hazing incident. Following investigation into the incident, Coach (Ben) DeLuca and his team were notified that all fall competitions are canceled," a statement by Andy Noel, the athletic director, said. "Effective today, the team will resume training and practice in accordance with sanction guidelines."
The team, known as the Big Red, had been scheduled to play an exhibition game in Cortland, N.Y., Sept. 28 against the Iroquois Nationals, the team of the Iroquois Confederacy in the United States and Canada. Cornell was also scheduled to play Oct. 13 in the Capital Lacrosse Invitational in Bethesda, Md. The tournament supports a foundation in memory of George Boiardi, a Cornell lacrosse captain killed in 2004 when he was hit by a lacrosse ball during a game.
Last year, Cornell had a 14-4 record and made it into the NCAA semifinals, losing to Duke.
