Washington University St. Louis Men's Soccer Team Suspended Indefinitely

The Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer team was suspended indefinitely Friday night after alleged inappropriate behavior directed toward the women's soccer team.

The Associated Press (via ESPN.com) reported Saturday the university said it obtained a document from 2015 that appeared to show "degrading and sexually explicit" comments by the men's team, which provost Holden Thorp said "suggest an unacceptable culture."

Ashley Jost of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted the women's team originally made college administrators aware of the actions Wednesday. The university called the indefinite suspension from all activities a "preliminary punishment" pending an investigation.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also provided a statement from Lori White, the school's vice chancellor for student affairs:

"

Let me be clear: There is absolutely no place at Washington University for sexism, discrimination or harassment of any kind. This alleged behavior flies in the face of the university's core values of community support, diversity and inclusion, and we are firmly committed to conducting a timely and thorough investigation to address this matter.

"

Andrew Mytelka of the Chronicle of Higher Education pointed out it's the fifth such move by a university since the fall. The Princeton men's swimming and diving team, Columbia's wrestling team, the men's cross-country teams from Harvard and Amherst College and the Harvard men's soccer team have all faced similar sanctions following alleged inappropriate behavior.

No further details about the specific comments obtained by Washington University in St. Louis were immediately released.

The men's soccer team finished its 2016 season in November. The Bears completed the campaign with 10 victories, four losses and three draws. They qualified for the Division III NCAA tournament, suffering a first-round loss to Redlands in penalty kicks.

The school didn't provide a timetable to complete its investigation to determine whether additional punishment is warranted in the case.