Wildcat lacrosse suspended

Both the men’s and women’s Chico State lacrosse teams have been suspended for violating the university’s alcohol policy for club sports organizations.

A letter sent to club officers and coaches on Monday (Feb. 2) announced the teams are barred from competition and business functions for the remainder of the spring semester. The suspensions are due to parties held by the teams on Jan. 10 and 16, during which alcohol was available in violation of the university’s Sport Club Program’s Code of Conduct Contract, which prohibits drugs and alcohol at club functions.

University officials learned of the parties while investigating the Jan. 16 death of Nick Castellanos, 18, a freshman lacrosse player who was attempting to cross the intersection of Walnut and West Fifth streets on a red light and was fatally injured by a passing motorist. Joe Wills, the university’s director of public affairs, confirmed that Castellanos attended the lacrosse party that night, but couldn’t say whether his death was alcohol-related.