CSU, Chico News

The Chico State Wildcats softball game tomorrow, March 28, against Western Oregon University has been canceled due to an investigation into an off-campus party Friday hosted by a group of Chico State softball players where a high school recruit was taken to Enloe Hospital for alcohol overdose.

The 17-year-old high school recruit was admitted to Enloe at 1 am Saturday when, after she became lethargic and then unresponsive, a team member placed a 911 call. A decision was made by paramedics to transport her to Enloe. Chico Police also responded to the 911 call and notified the recruit's father, who had accompanied her to Chico for the recruitment visit. She was released at 6 am to her father. She is reportedly doing fine and has returned home.

Anita Barker, director of Intercollegiate Athletics, met with the softball team and Coach Teri Rupe Saturday and today to convey the seriousness of the matter. “An incident like this shakes a program to its core,” Barker said. “Chico State Athletics prides itself as being a leader locally and on the conference and national level. Our expectation is that our student athletes are ambassadors and role models both on and off the field. There is no excuse for this type of behavior. The news of this incident is both disappointing and distressing, and it will be handled with the serious attention it deserves.”

Players present at the party have been directed to CSU, Chico’s Office of Student Judicial Affairs as part of an investigation. They face possible suspension from the team as well as other disciplinary measures.

Western Oregon has been notified about the game cancellation. The game has not yet been rescheduled. The status of subsequent games has not yet been addressed.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 27th, 2006 at 8:30 am and is filed under 2006 Spring.