Geneseo, N.Y. - The Livingston County District Attorney's office says charges will likely be filed against a 11 SUNY Geneseo students. Eight of the students are members of the Geneseo Women's Volleyball team.
The students will be charged with 1st degree Hazing and Unlawful Dealing with a Child for serving alcohol to minors.
The possible charges stem from an underage drinking party on Court Street that sent one student to the hospital over the weekend.
Police say there are eight victims ranging from 17 to 18-years-old. All victims are freshmen on the volleyball team.
However, District Attorney Gregory McCaffrey says this isn't just a simple case about underage drinking.
"I think as the facts of this case come to light, this is going to be seen as more than just a typical drinking party," McCaffrey says. "There are some accusations that are going to be levied aginst these students who show this was a little bit above and beyond voluntary drinking."
McCaffrey went on to say there is reason to believe the underage players were pressured into drinking by the older members of the team.
One victim had to be rushed to a hospital in Dansville to be treated for alcohol poisoning. Police say her blood alcohol content was 3 to 4 times the legal limit. She is expected to recover.
Some students on the SUNY Geneseo campus say pressing charges against the students seems harsh, but not everyone agrees.
"They did get what they deserved," says junior Bareeqah Ahmad. "I think it's just about right because we need to make sure that we're sending out the right message. We can't play with a person's life. Someone could have ended up dead."
However everyone can agree, they aren't surprised by the allegations.
"[The freshmen] did have the choice to say 'no' but yet again I can understand the pressure here to want to be accepted especially when it comes to a team," Ahmad says. "It's a really small group and you want to be accepted by them."
The District Attorney and officials with the school say they take allegations of underage drinking very seriously especially after at Geneseo student died of alcohol over-consumption in March 2009 while pledging to an unsanctioned fraternity.
The Vice President of Student and Campus Life, Robert Bonfiglio, says all freshmen are got through training about the dangers of alcohol and how to intervene when they witness a fellow student putting themselves in danger.
"We take our responsibility to the student welfare very seriously," Bonfiglio says. "It's our obligation to teach our students to abide by the law."
Bonfiglio says the school is cooperating with and assisting the DA's office and Geneseo Police Department. They are also in touch with the students involved.
The volleyball team has been suspended from games and practice until the investigation has been completed.
