McMINNVILLE, Ore. (KOIN) — Three McMinnville High School soccer players were kicked off the team and another 5 were suspended for 3 weeks following a hazing incident on a bus ride back from West Salem on August 30.
Coaches on the bus brought the issue to the attention of the leaders at McMinnville High School, the district said in a release.
In the days after the game, school staff talked with the coaches and 42 team members who were on the bus. The school also canceled practice for September 4 as well as their game on September 5.
Parents were also informed of the incident in a meeting on September 1, the district said, and reminded everyone of their hazing policy. A second meeting with parents was held on September 6 after the investigation ended.
The 8 players involved were told individually, but the specifics of the hazing on the bus remain confidential, the district said.
Parents were also given contact information for both the school district’s HR department as well as the school resource officer, a member of the McMinnville Police Department.
Police were informed of the school’s investigation and are actively investigating to determine if there was any criminal activity that could lead to arrests.
The district also scheduled a September 19 meeting with coaches and physical education teachers to reinforce and review the district’s hazing policy.
Read: Statement on hazing incident involving McMinnville soccer players