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The NCAA News -- April 12, 1999

Men's tennis season canceled at St. Olaf

A drinking incident at St. Olaf College -- a school with a "dry campus" policy -- has resulted in the cancellation of the school's men's tennis season.

The cancellation is the result of an incident involving abuse of alcohol during a team party last month that led to the hospitalization of a student. The cancellation will result in the forfeiture of all remaining contests this season.

Head men's tennis coach Scott Nesbit made the decision to cancel the season, a decision that was supported by St. Olaf President Mark Edwards and athletics director Cindy Book. The women's team was not involved in the incident and will compete during the remainder of the season as scheduled.

"Our first and foremost concern is for the health and well-being of our students," Book said. "Several members of our men's tennis team made some awfully poor decisions, and it is important that they understand there are significant negative consequences to those actions.

"This is a regrettable announcement for us to make," Book said. "It obviously affects many people beyond those involved in the incident, including our fellow Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Association members and our entire campus community. Nevertheless, I fully support coach Nesbit's decision."

According to reports, the incident occurred during a party attended by several members of the men's tennis team.

The student who was hospitalized was found choking in his dorm room after he had consumed a large quantity of alcohol at the party and had returned to his room. The student was transported to the hospital after emergency medical care was summoned.

While not all members of the team attended the party, Nesbit chose to cancel the rest of the season.

"It was such a large percentage of the team that for us to continue as a team wouldn't have been able to happen," Nesbit said.

Team members at the party have been fined a total of $500. In addition, the incident is still under investigation and the team could face more disciplinary action.