St. Olaf Cancels Baseball Season After Hazing Investigation

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - St. Olaf College is cancelling the remaining games of the 2015 baseball season after "serious violations" of the school's hazing policy.

The hazing included "ridicule, harassment and public displays of servitude" and involved underage alcohol consumption. The incidents occurred on Feb. 28 both on and off campus.

"Hazing has no place at St. Olaf," president David R. Anderson wrote in an email to the St. Olaf community. "Any form of hazing is reprehensible and inconsistent with our core values as an institution."

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference said in a statement Friday that St. Olaf would be removed from the MIAC's schedule and standings, and teams scheduled to face St. Olaf will receive a bye.

"Our primary concern is for anyone - especially student-athletes - who have been negatively impacted by the hazing uncovered by St. Olaf's investigation," MIAC executive director Dan McKane said in a statement. "Hazing has no place in intercollegiate athletics and we're glad to see St. Olaf take swift action to send the message that this behavior will not be tolerated."

St. Olaf said it was prevented by federal law and college policy from disclosing more information about the hazings.