LU releases statement on men's basketball team suspensions

Laurentian University's communications department has confirmed that some players of the school's men's basketball team have been suspended following an investigation into a violation of the Athlete Code of Conduct.

The statement does not state how many athletes have been reprimanded, but an article by the university's English student newspaper the Lambda reported that five players have been suspended overhazing allegations stemming from aSept. 24 rookie night ceremony.

"The students involved have chosen to avail themselves of a mechanism provided in our Athlete Code of Conduct to have their situation considered by a Committee of Inquiry," the statement said.

"Out of respect for this process, and the people involved, the university isn't able to comment further at this time."

The specifics of the alleged violationhave not been made public.

Lambda editor-in-chief, Jessica Robinson, tells CBC News the players are fighting their suspensions.

"What[the players] have said adamantly is that they do not think that the events that took place should be considered hazing," Robinson said.

"They feel that the code of conduct is too general."

CBC has tried to get comment from the basketball team's players, but so far no one has replied.