BYU football players disciplined for honor-code violations

PROVO — Brigham Young University officials dismissed or suspended four football players today, four days before spring practice is scheduled to begin, for their actions during an off-campus party in January.

The dean of students also placed two additional players on probation, university spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said.

The players were disciplined for their participation in a Jan. 16 party that included alcohol and extramarital sex, which are prohibited by the university's honor code, sources said.

The two players on probation will be allowed to practice with the team next week.

BYU did not reveal the names of any of the players. Under federal student privacy law, the university cannot do so without permission from the student-athletes.

"BYU has not been given permission by any of the students involved to release their names or any specifics regarding disciplinary hearings," Jenkins said.

The football team will provide an updated roster to the media on Monday, but "neither coaches or athletic administration personnel will provide explanations why certain players are not on the roster," Jenkins said.

The suspensions and dismissal are effective immediately. The players will not be allowed to complete their schoolwork this semester.

The suspensions are one-year sanctions, so the earliest those three players could return to school is January 2005.

Suspensions and dismissals are the most significant sanctions that can be levied for honor code violations. Dismissal means a student's relationship with the university is permanently severed.

The university received information about the party in late January, after Provo and BYU police investigated an allegation that a woman was raped. The woman, also a BYU student, recanted her story, and police concluded that no criminal activity took place.

However, she confirmed that she had sex with several BYU football players and the criminal investigation turned up information that several men engaged in those acts or watched them take place. It also uncovered evidence of alcohol use during the party.

Jenkins said two other athletes withdrew from the university before the honor code investigation began.

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