Columbia Suspends Wrestling Program for Racist, Sexist Text Messages

Columbia University announced Monday its wrestling team's season has been suspended after the discovery of inappropriate text messages sent between members of the team. 

According to Seth Berkman of the New York Times, the texts were racist, misogynistic and homophobic in nature, and a statement released Monday revealed the athletic department "has decided that Columbia wrestlers will not compete until we have a full understanding of the facts on which to base the official response to this disturbing matter."

The news comes on the heels of Columbia University canceling a meet at Binghamton on Sunday. It is unclear if or when the team's season will resume.

Per Berkman, the texts were sent between wrestlers via GroupMe and were then published on Columbia's student news site, Bwog, after an anonymous tipster submitted them. The university called the texts "appalling" in a statement.

The Columbia situation comes on the heels of another Ivy League sports team making headlines for similar reasons.

According to the Harvard Crimson (h/t ESPN.com), Harvard canceled the season of its men's soccer team after an investigation revealed players had circulated a document in which they made misogynistic comments in relation to members of the Harvard women's soccer team.

Columbia University's wrestling team is scheduled to compete in the New York State championships Sunday at Cornell, but the suspension of the season leaves its participation in doubt.   

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