Rice protesters decry hazing suspensions of lacrosse teams

by **Sonny** on Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:28 pm

Rice University officials have disbanded the school's men's and women's lacrosse teams and suspended five team captains, accusing them of participating in a hazing incident that ended with four students being taken to the hospital after consuming large amounts of alcohol.

The disciplinary actions, announced last month, were the focus of a boisterous protest by about 60 students on the university's main quadrangle Friday.

Many of the protesters said new team members were not "forced" to drink alcoholic beverages during an initiation party, that two of the men's team members were taken to the hospital because they had gotten into a fight — not for excessive intoxication — and that university officials had not taken the time to read their letters about the incident.

Full article, from Houston Chronicle:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mp ... an/3069393

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by **RiceSean** on Sun Mar 06, 2005 3:00 am

We had a great turnout friday. I don't think the administration realized how strongly the student body as a whole feels about the situation... At a campus of 2800 undergrads, getting close to 100 people (the chronicle said 60, it was more than that) to show up on the friday afternoon at the beginning of spring break is pretty impressive. Our biggest complaint was that we don't feel we, the students, were being heard by the administration about this....
Most importantly, we were all there to show support for our captains whose academic careers are at great risk here.

Keep them in your thoughts please.

by **Rice University Coach** on Sun Mar 06, 2005 11:40 pm

To Sam and all at Rice:
We all learn from our mistakes. I know you guys at Rice will do so from the unfortunate incident. We at UH have not forgotten you and your program. We wish temperance from the Rice administration regarding Sam and the other officers from both the men's and women's programs. Youth making mistakes is part of growing up. Learning from them and ensuring they don't happen again is key. Your neighbors at UH care! We at UH are there for your program at Rice.

by **doctorsauce75** on Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:36 am

I hope Rice gets back strong. I've always had the utmost respect for their program and always looked forward to playing them.

by **benji** on Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:41 am

If nothing else, the Rice squad can use this situation as inspiration for seasons to come. I don't know the details of the situation, nor do I care to, but I hope to see that the correct action is taken by Rice administration, and hope to see that Rice can come back from this stronger than ever. Best of luck fellas! Get back soon!

by **Hotbox** on Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:44 pm

Who would've ever though that would happen where fans do kegstands on the sidelines?? JK

I just wish my team had a structured hazing rite of passage. Despite the potential for hazing abuse (not redundant, in my opinion), it can serve a very uniting function. I hope the Rice guys are ok and the team doesn't miss a season.

by **laxfan25** on Sun Mar 13, 2005 7:38 pm

Hotbox wrote: I hope the Rice guys are ok and the team doesn't miss a season.

Did you read the first sentence of the article? They disbanded both the mens and womens teams. I think they'll be missing the season.

by **Hotbox** on Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:27 pm

laxfan25 wrote:
Hotbox wrote: I hope the Rice guys are ok and the team doesn't miss a season.

Did you read the first sentence of the article? They disbanded both the mens and womens teams. I think they'll be missing the season.

Oh, I thought they weren't allowed to play in the band anymore. Bring the trumpets back out fellas, it ain't time for TAPS yet!

by **RiceSean** on Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:42 pm

I'm not speaking for the team or by any means going by anything official that I've read... however, from what I've heard the administration is going to allow us to re-apply for club sport status next year... So assuming there's no complications with the league, we'll hopefully be playing some games next year.
Hopefully we can get our act together and maybe even win one -- it'd be nice coming off a 0-2 season, ya know?
Anyway, thanks for the best wishes guys... We realize we broke some rules that were there to protect us, but as a freshman who was an alleged "victim," I can say that no harm was meant.

Anyway, hopefully we'll be seeing you guys on the field next year! (I'll be on the sideline probably, but you know what I mean...) I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

by **BaylorLax29** on Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:10 am

Hope you guys get it together, its a shame that something like this happened to your team, and hey I know all about standing on the sidelines but it is still better than not having a team. Good luck.