Hood suspended practices and games after several student athletes went to party

By Braden Weinel//

Hood College announced on Monday, April 12, that multiple athletic teams will be given a one-week suspension due to a large gathering on Saturday night.  

The gathering was hosted off-campus by the men’s lacrosse team and was said to have had over 70 students from ten different athletic teams there.  

The college was made aware of the off-campus party through social media posts, sports information director, Geoff Goyne said.  

The Hood athletic department met on Monday to discuss the consequences for the violation of COVID-19 protocols by many of the school’s student-athletes.  

The school quickly came to a decision that involved the halting of athletic seasons for all teams with the exception of baseball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf, Esports, men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s track and field, all teams that did not attend the party.  

Further reprimanding was left up to the coaching staff of each team.  

Members of the men’s lacrosse team said that in addition to a one-week suspension, they team must complete community service by the end of the week of their suspension.  

Goyne said that this was the best course of action to enforce COVID-19 safety protocols while still maintaining some athletics.  

Although practices and games for most teams have been suspended, Goyne said students are still allowed to use athletic facilities such as the weight room, BB&T arena and Thomas Athletic field on their own time.  

The suspended athletic teams will be able to resume practice and competition starting Monday, April 18, said Goyne.