Posted at 9:25 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Colleges: Maine softball placed on probation for hazing
Associated Press
ORONO, Maine — The Maine softball team was placed on probation for three years and three players were suspended for up to 10 games by the school for hazing violations.The team also will delay the start of next season by one week, university officials announced today.
The school suspended Courtney Gingrich for 10 games next season, and Jenna Balent and Ashley Waters for two games each. Gingrich and Waters will no longer be team captains.
The university began an investigation this summer after photos appeared online showing members of the softball team apparently drinking alcohol and making lewd gestures at a party in 2006.
"These are severe penalties which are appropriate given the serious nature of the offenses," said athletic director Blake James. "Hazing runs contrary to everything we stand for as a university and as an athletic department."
The Student Code of Conduct and Student-Athlete Code of Conduct prohibit hazing.
The team must participate in 20 hours of community service before the season and participate in an anti-hazing and alcohol education program.
Hazing education is already a part of the annual student-athlete orientation program. A hazing awareness program has been created for all head coaches requiring them to address hazing with their teams before every season, the school said.
