The Catholic University of America cracks down on Lacrosse team after initiation party

Washington D.C., Aug 9, 2006 / 22:00 pm

The Catholic University of America’s women’s lacrosse team will be walking on thin ice this season following a freshman initiation party involving a male stripper--something university officials are calling “contrary to the values” of the university.

The university opted to forfeit three games from last year’s season which occurred after the party and place the 2006-07 team on probation.

ESPN reported that photos from the off-campus party were posted on the internet under the heading “"Catholic University Women's Lacrosse Initiation Party 2006."

The school’s athletic director, Michael Allen said in a statement this week that "After interviewing members of the lacrosse team and carefully reviewing the facts, we have determined that team members engaged in regrettable activities that are contrary to the expectations we have for our students and to the values of the university."

He expressed deep disappointment at, “their actions, particularly for any embarrassment and humiliation which the freshmen being initiated may have experienced at the time and subsequent to the event."

The school’s decision came as welcome news to many who question the current moral atmosphere at many of the Catholic colleges and universities in the United States.