UT suspends Texas Cowboys for 6 years for hazing
The University of Texas has suspended the Texas Cowboys — a spirit group best known for firing “Smokey the Cannon” at home football games — for six years after an investigation into hazing at a retreat the night before a new member was fatally injured in a wreck on the way back to Austin.
The suspension, along with a two-year probationary period after reinstatement, was handed down Wednesday by UT’s dean of students office. The Cowboys have the option of accepting the sanction, appealing or requesting a formal hearing, according to a partially redacted copy of UT’s discipline report obtained by the American-Statesman under the Texas Public Information Act.
The university said the group violated rules that prohibit hazing, alcohol misconduct and behavior threatening health or safety.
“New members of the Cowboys were subjected to multiple forms of hazing, including physical brutality, physical activity, forced ingestion of unwanted substances, coerced consumption of alcohol and degradation,” the report said.
Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20190327/ut-suspends-texas-cowboys-for-6-years-for-hazing
