Update: EKU Rugby Team Suspended 2 Years For Hazing

The men’s rugby team at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond was suspended for two years, after the school concluded that a freshman member of the team was paddled with a two-by-four as part of an initiation process.

In a statement released Thursday evening, EKU’s Hazing Investigation Committee said someone on the team has a two-by-four piece of wood, about 3-to-4 feet in length, that might have a sharp object on one end.

The committee said the paddle is nicknamed "Betsy," and is used to paddle members of the team.

The committee said players can refuse to be paddled, but a player who is paddled is then considered part of the "brotherhood."

The committee said in this particular reported incident, blood was found in the freshman player’s dormitory room.

The committee said the reported incident fit the school’s definition of hazing.

EKU suspended the rugby team through August 18, 2014.

The team will then be on probation until the first day of classes during the spring 2016 semester.

The school said the team will also have to host an educational session on hazing by October 1, 2014.