Towson University Hazing: Cheerleading Squad Suspended From Competition

A hazing incident at Towson University has lead to the suspension of the school’s cheerleading squad.

The Baltimore school didn’t go into details about the incident that lead to the suspensions but Deb Moriarty, the vice president of student affairs, said that Towson would not tolerate any forms of hazing.

All 30 members of the championship squad have been suspended from competition for the rest of the year.

Moriarty said: “Hazing in any form will not be tolerated at Towson University. We hold high expectations for all of our students and their conduct as leaders, both on and off campus… Out of concern for students’ privacy and their rights to due process that includes their right to appeal the suspension, it would be inappropriate for the university to comment further.”

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Towson University cheerleading squad won the All Girl Division 1 category of the National Cheerleaders Association’s Collegiate Cheerleading Championship back in April.

Jim Lord, the executive director of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators, said that many schools have adapted a zero tolerance policy when it comes to hazing but added that it was unusual to see an entire team suspended for an entire year.

Lord said: “I have never heard of a whole team getting suspended… That is pretty rare, maybe unheard of.”

The Office of Student Conduct and Civility Education learned about the Towson University hazing incident earlier this month. The suspension took effect last Friday.