Men's rugby team at Nichols College accused of hazing, season suspended

DUDLEY, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – School officials at Nichols College in Dudley have cancelled the men's rugby team's entire season after two 19-year-old freshmen looking to make the squad were hospitalized following an alleged hazing incident.

The alleged hazing incident occurred off-campus at what students call "The Rugby House" on Sept. 17.

According to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, six upperclassmen reportedly made two freshmen players drink a large amount of beer and rum as part of an initiation for new members.

Ambulances were later called to campus to retrieve the freshmen. Both were found intoxicated in a campus dormitory.

At first, the hospitalized freshmen said they were forced to drink; however, each was interviewed separately following the incident and said that wasn't the case.

Two of the accused upperclassmen told police they went for a post-practice run which ended at "The Rugby House" located at 25 Tanyard Road; however, they said while it was an initiation, no one was forced to drink.

The university told FOX 25 their investigation is still ongoing, but they feel there is enough evidence to support allegations of possible hazing.

Authorities said that was enough to suspend the team's entire fall season.

The upperclassmen face charges in Dudley District Court of procuring liquor for people younger than 21 and hazing. The newspaper reports the six students behind the incident will be arraigned Oct. 30.

For more information: Worcester Telegram & Gazette

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