SEMO investigates hazing incident

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ST. LOUIS -- Ten football players at Southeast Missouri State University may face discipline from the university for allegedly hazing teammates, but they will not face criminal charges, the university said Thursday.

The university said in a statement that players wrapped the arms, legs and mouths of some teammates in duct tape, then carried them from the locker room to the field last Friday at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. Two of the players were duct-taped together at their waists and legs, the university said.

The incident lasted about 10 minutes before players removed the tape, the university said. No one was hurt. It wasn't clear how many players were victims of the alleged hazing.

Names of the students involved have not been released.

The Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office declined to press charges. But the university said its Office of Student Conduct is reviewing the incident because hazing is prohibited. It wasn't clear when that review would be completed or what sort of discipline those involved may face. The university cited privacy requirements in declining further comment.

The university took on a strict anti-hazing policy in 1994 after a fatal hazing at a fraternity. Student Michael Davis died from a severe beating while he was pledging the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Seven members of the fraternity eventually pleaded guilty or were convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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