EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern University suspended its
women's soccer team Monday while the school investigates alleged
hazing involving players last year.
The school learned of the allegations Monday, athletics director
Mark Murphy said in a statement.
"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,''
Murphy said.
The statement did not provide details about the alleged
incident, and a Northwestern spokesman Alan Cubbage said the school
would not comment further.
A Web site on Monday displayed pictures allegedly of
Northwestern soccer players in T-shirts and underwear, some wearing
blindfolds 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.
"We have confirmed that a majority of these photos are of Northwestern University women's soccer players," Mike Wolf, an NU assistant athletic director, told Chicago-era media.
Northwestern's Division of Student Affairs will conduct the
investigation, Murphy said.
"I have asked all Athletic Department staff, team coaches and
members of the team to cooperate fully in the investigation by
Student Affairs,'' he said.
A message left at the office of women's soccer coach Jenny Haigh
on Monday night was not immediately returned.
The Wildcats' 2006 season is scheduled to begin in August.
Northwestern finished with a 9-9-1 record last season.