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IUP Cheerling Squad Suspended For Rest Of Year
Oct 13, 2005 9:28 pm US/Eastern
Indiana, Pa. (KDKA) The IUP cheerleading squad has been suspended from performing until May 2006.
IUP officials today released a statement, saying the group will be barred from “cheering at intercollegiate athletic events, participating in cheerleading expositions and representing themselves in uniform” at games or university-sponsored events.
The suspension comes after the team's fall initiation party when a freshmen cheerleader was reported to be visibly intoxicated.
“We tightened them and we let students know we were very serious about this,” said Michelle Fryling, IUP media relations.
The team also cannot use school facilities or receive university benefits during the suspension.
The squad cannot get their privileges restored until it develops a plan that includes member expectations and behaviors and new member recruitment education, according to the statement.
“I can’t speak to why the instances are. I won’t speak to the allegations and the charges,” Fryling said. “We take a very hard look at students who are engaged in unsafe and illegal behaviors. Underage drinking is illegal and we can’t tolerate it”
The cheerleaders have been suspended since October 2.
A freshman member of the squad was charged with underage drinking after she returned to her dorm room intoxicated following the school’s annual initiation party.
“I think it’s kind of unfair because not the whole squad did this,” said Robin Markowitz. “I don’t think one girl’s mistake should have the whole squad penalized.”
Not everyone shared Markowitz’s point of view.
“I believe that it’s good they are cracking down on all the college students for all the hazing,” said Jasmine Derr. “So I’m proud of it.”
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