University stops wrestlers from competing after lewd texts

University stops wrestlers from competing after lewd texts

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:00 a.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) Columbia University is suspending some wrestlers from the team for as long as the rest of the school year after crude text messages came to light. But other team members can continue competing, including in a state championship this weekend.

The New York Ivy League university announced the decision Friday. It had put all competition on hold Monday after a student-run blog published screengrabs of lewd and racially insensitive messages it said were exchanged by seniors on the team.

Columbia's athletics department says it determined only a ''distinct group'' of wrestlers was involved.

Columbia won't say how many wrestlers are suspended, citing educational privacy laws. No wrestler is suspended from the university, just from the squad.

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The wrestling coach and assistant coaches haven't responded to email and phone messages seeking comment.

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