St. Joseph's Cancels Softball Season Amid Hazing Allegations

Officials at St. Joseph’s University have cancelled the remainder of the school’s varsity softball team, according to 6ABC.

A statement from the school says the decision is in response to an investigation of hazing allegations against players that became public last month.

“Saint Joseph’s University has concluded a Community Standards review process in the ongoing women’s softball matter. Due to violations of campus community standards, the women’s softball team will not be participating in scheduled contests for the remainder of the season. The Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents the University from addressing individual student-athletes or specific violations and SJU will have no further statements at this time.”

The accusation was made public at the beginning of April, when the school delayed the team’s bus departure to Virginia to conduct interviews with the players, philly.com reports. The school suspended four players while they conducted the investigations. A note that was reportedly given to freshman players to perform a series of tasks involving alcohol, lap dances and inappropriate touching came to the attention of school officials, sparking the inquiry.

One of the four softball players suspended by St. Joseph’s University has apologized for the situation, according to a letter obtained by 6ABC. The unnamed player confirms the existence of the written instructions, but they were meant to be voluntary, not required.

Pennsylvania has outlawed hazing activities, making it a third degree misdemeanor for someone to perform any action ”which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission” into a group affiliated with an institute of higher learning.

The law also requires colleges and universities to enact anti-hazing policies, with penalties that could include fines, withholding of diplomas, suspension or dismissal from the school.

The St. Joseph’s University Handbook states its anti-hazing policy as the following:

“Saint Joseph’s University prohibits all forms of hazing. The Anti-Hazing Law of Pennsylvania states that any person who causes or participates in hazing commits a misdemeanor of the third degree…[and] individuals found responsible of hazing may be fined, placed on probation, suspended or dismissed.”