A university women's field hockey team is pulled from the playoffs after allegations of hazing.
East Stroudsburg University women's field hockey team will not compete in this weekend's playoff games in Shippensburg. The players and staff are being investigated for possible hazing.
A university news release said it is investigating allegations that members of its women's field hockey team took part in hazing activities.
During the investigation the team has been forced to forfeit the playoffs and a chance to at the NCAA championships.
This weekend would have been the first time since 2002 ESU's women's field hockey team made it to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships but the allegations that some of the team and staff participated in hazing means the field hockey team will forfeit this weekend's semi-final game against Shippensburg as well as any chance in the NCAA division II championships while the university investigates.
Hazing is an abusive way to initiate someone into a club or group.
ESU President Dr. Robert Dillman released a statement regarding the investigation, saying, "East Stroudsburg University does not condone hazing and takes hazing allegations seriously. Hazing is an illegal and dangerous activity and is unacceptable in all forms."
Dillman went on the say, "Student-athletes at ESU deserve the best possible experience and should be protected from participating in either individual or team-based hazing practices."
Student athletes on campus were surprised to hear about the allegations.
"For a field hockey team doing so good and then being kicked out for hazing, I don't know anyone who does that on the track team so I can't see it being done anywhere else," said freshman Alan McCarthy, who is a sprinter for the ESU track and field team.
"I am surprised they are getting pulled out of the playoffs for this. That comes as a surprise. I never thought it would interfere like that," said senior Christian Saveri, a pitcher for ESU's baseball team.
ESU said if warranted, disciplinary action will be taken.
East Stroudsburg University women's field hockey team will not compete in this weekend's playoff games in Shippensburg. The players and staff are being investigated for possible hazing.
A university news release said it is investigating allegations that members of its women's field hockey team took part in hazing activities.
During the investigation the team has been forced to forfeit the playoffs and a chance to at the NCAA championships.
This weekend would have been the first time since 2002 ESU's women's field hockey team made it to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships but the allegations that some of the team and staff participated in hazing means the field hockey team will forfeit this weekend's semi-final game against Shippensburg as well as any chance in the NCAA division II championships while the university investigates.
Hazing is an abusive way to initiate someone into a club or group.
ESU President Dr. Robert Dillman released a statement regarding the investigation, saying, "East Stroudsburg University does not condone hazing and takes hazing allegations seriously. Hazing is an illegal and dangerous activity and is unacceptable in all forms."
Dillman went on the say, "Student-athletes at ESU deserve the best possible experience and should be protected from participating in either individual or team-based hazing practices."
Student athletes on campus were surprised to hear about the allegations.
"For a field hockey team doing so good and then being kicked out for hazing, I don't know anyone who does that on the track team so I can't see it being done anywhere else," said freshman Alan McCarthy, who is a sprinter for the ESU track and field team.
"I am surprised they are getting pulled out of the playoffs for this. That comes as a surprise. I never thought it would interfere like that," said senior Christian Saveri, a pitcher for ESU's baseball team.
ESU said if warranted, disciplinary action will be taken.
