Β CHARLOTTE, NC —Β Five UNC Charlotte baseball players have been dismissed from the team, as the school continues to look into hazing allegations.
The University is reinstating baseball activities for the rest of the team. But the investigation will continue, and there could be more punishments to come.
“I heard that recently some baseball players were hazing younger baseball players, and they’re suspended,” said UNC Charlotte Marissa Makara.
It took a while to find a UNC Charlotte student who knew that the school is investigating allegations of misconduct involving members of the baseball team, and that five players have been kicked off the squad by head coach Loren Hibbs.
“I feel like maybe if it was the football team or basketball team it would have been, like, headline,” said UNC Charlotte student Kevin Moradel. “But baseball, I’m not really sure.”
“It’s like a low key, not really out to the public,” said UNC Charlotte student Haley Thomas. “I find that kind of odd.”
Sources tell WCCB Charlotte that the mother of a current player found out that older players were hazing younger team members, and alerted the university.
“If older kids are doing it, they feel like they have to do it, you know, to be accepted into something new,” said Makar. “And they want to just fit in.”
UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois released a statement today saying:
“The University stands firm in its resolve that there is no place for hazing, bullying or misconduct at UNC Charlotte.”
Athletics Director Judy Rose has reinstated the team, allowing the 49ers to start preparing for the season.Β But the University says that if any additional misconduct is discovered, additional measures will be taken.
Students we talked to say that despite the situation with the baseball team, hazing is not an issue on campus.
“From what I see, hazing is not really a problem as far as like going to class or just living with your roommates, or something like that,” said Moradel.
“Keep yourself with a good group of friends, and try not to put yourself in a position where that happens,” said Thoms. “And obviously if it does happen, find people that you can talk to.”
UNC Charlotte is not releasing the names of players kicked off the team, or any details on the alleged misconduct, to protect student privacy.
