The Santa Margarita High School boys soccer team is dealing with issues of hazing, according to a report by KCBS2 in Los Angeles.
The report says three members of the varsity soccer team have been expelled from school for their involvement in the alleged hazing incident. However, when a school official and the Diocese of Orange spokesperson were contacted by FOXSportsWest.com, neither would confirm any expulsion of the players.
“No comment,” a school official said.
The TV station is reporting the players were involved in a hazing incident during a recent team trip to Hawaii. The Orange County Register says the Orange County Sheriff’s department as been asked by Honolulu police to help investigate the complaint.
According to the KCBS2 report, freshman players were urinated on and had bags of feces thrown at them, with the excrement exploding on contact. The incident allegedly took place during a New Year’s trip to Oahu.
The hazing was reportedly meant to be an initiation for at least four victims. A Jan. 4 complaint was filed to the Honolulu Police Department after the team returned home. One source within the school confirmed to FOXSportsWest.com that all of the staff has been instructed not to speak of the incident and told to direct all inquiries to the Diocese of Orange County.
“It’s just unfortunate,” the source said.
The Diocese says the school is handling the matter.
“There was no issue of public safety and the school is dealing with it according to the school’s policies and procedures,” said a spokesperson for the Diocese of Orange County. “Whenever there is anything of the nature that happened, there is a full policy for dealing with various types of behavior and actions.”
When asked if there was going to be any punishment against head coach Wade Fraser or the program, such as the possibility of it being shut down for the rest of the season, the spokesperson wouldn’t comment, citing privacy laws.
The Santa Margarita soccer team played three games from Dec. 31-Jan. 3. They returned to Orange County on Jan. 4 from what the team and school described on its website as a “successful road trip.” The team went 3-0 on it’s trip to Hawaii, which included wins over reigning Hawaii state champion Milalani and 18-time state champion Punahou.
Since returning from Hawaii, the Eagles have gone 4-0-3. They are scheduled to play at Orange Lutheran on Wednesday at 3:15 p.m.
Despite the news of the alleged hazing incident, Santa Margarita is expected to take the field.
“Their schedule is intact,” the spokesperson said. “There is nothing altering that.”
