U of L dismisses three athletes in wake of party that led to COVID-19 outbreak
The University of Louisville has dismissed three men’s soccer players and suspended three others in the wake of a party on Saturday which led to a COVID-19 outbreak among the school’s athletics programs.
According to a press release from the university, the three players who were dismissed have previously violated team rules and were the primary organizers of the off-campus party which led to 29 players across four programs testing positive for the virus.
“I’m extremely disappointed in these young men and particularly with the three that have been dismissed,” Louisville men’s soccer head coach John Michael Hayden said in the release. “They have demonstrated with their actions now and previously that they do not echo the culture of this program. Our student-athletes are held to a high standard of conduct as representatives of our program and university.”
On Wednesday, Louisville announced that all team-related activities — including workouts and preseason practices — had been suspended for men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey and volleyball in order to deal with the outbreak.
During a media teleconference Wednesday, Louisville Vice President and Director of Athletics Vince Tyra indicated athletes who failed to heed safety protocols related to COVID-19 could face discipline. On Thursday, Tyra voiced support for Hayden’s disciplinary measures.
“I fully support John Michael’s decision,” Tyra said in the press release. “It is clear that these student-athletes did not meet the code of conduct of the university or their team. Ignoring the safety protocols issued by federal, state and local officials, as well as the athletic department, is unacceptable and dangerous. Their history of actions are not in alignment with the values of this university and athletics department.”
Players from other U of L programs attended the party and are currently under quarantine after being identified through contact tracing.
U of L did not immediately release the names of the players who have been dismissed or suspended. Louisville men’s soccer went 10-8-2 last year in Hayden’s first season as coach, falling to eventual national champion Georgetown in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
