SUNY Geneseo Cancels Volleyball Season Following Alleged Hazing

SUNY Geneseo has cancelled the 2012 season for women's volleyball following an alleged hazing incident that happened at the beginning of September.

Eleven girls were arrested and charged with hazing and unlawfully dealing with a child,

It's well known that underage drinking happens on many college campuses.

Hazing takes it to another level.

"I don't think anybody should make anyone drink or do anything that makes them uncomfortable,"said Emily Cirincione, a senior.

Court documents reveal that the alleged hazing happened inside the Courtside Apartments on Court Street.

Police said one SUNY Geneseo student was treated for alcohol poisoning.

That girl wrote in court documents that she and seven freshman volleyball players were forced to line up, take shots, and quote :"They were yelling at us like we were in the military and we were inferior."

Documents said, they were handcuffed and blindfolded.

The student said girls were crying and told they had to continue to drink or would have to start over.

"That is definitely a line that should not be crossed or even come close too," said Katrina Kaasik, a senior.

Kaasik says the college has a strict anti-hazing policy and educates students.

But said this is not uncommon.

"I think there is a lot of hazing that no one ever really knows about," said Kaasik.

SUNY officials say it never should happen - especially among students who represent the school.

"The hazing policy applies to student every student at the college, it does say in our athletic code of conduct that our student athletes will be held to a higher standard," said Robert Bonfiglio, Vice President for Student and Campus Life.

The athletes charged could also be suspended.

The athletics department has already talked to first-year athletes.

"They need to be the change agents. They need to be the people to change the culture from what is presently going on," said Mike Mooney, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation

Some students said there's a lot of peer pressure but they need to stand strong.

"I think students should just be responsible for themselves. If you get into a situation you are not comfortable with just don't do it," said Cirincione.

The students charged with hazing and unlawfully dealing with a child are expected to appear in court on October 9.

SUNY Geneseo has planned events for National Hazing Prevention Week that runs September 24-28.

The school will have a keynote speaker, Corey Ciocchetti, assistant professor of business ethics and legal studies at the University of Denver.

He will address what it means to live an ethical life.