Louisville soccer players dismissed after party leads to coronavirus outbreak

The University of Louisville dismissed three members of the men’s soccer team and suspended three others related to a party off-campus on Saturday that led to nearly 30 cases of coronavirus within the school’s athletic department.

The student athletes who were dismissed and had organized the party had prior team violations, according to a statement, which also said the party had led to the temporary shutdown of voluntary activities and preseason practice sessions for four sports.

“I’m extremely disappointed in these young men and particularly with the three that have been dismissed,” Louisville men’s soccer head coach John Michael Hayden said. “They have demonstrated with their actions now and previously that they do not echo the culture of this program. Our student-athletes are held to a high standard of conduct as representatives of our program and university.”

At least 29 COVID-19 cases were linked to the party, which included athletes from the men’s and women’s soccer teams and the volleyball and field hockey teams. 

The party was thrown at off-campus housing and did not follow Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) limit on 10-person social gatherings.

Louisville athletic director Vince Tyra said he agreed with the decision to temporarily suspend all voluntary workouts and preseason practice for the four teams.

“It is clear that these student-athletes did not meet the code of conduct of the university or their team. Ignoring the safety protocols issued by federal, state and local officials, as well as the athletic department, is unacceptable and dangerous. Their history of actions are not in alignment with the values of this university and athletics department,” Tyra said in a statement.

There have been 7,911 confirmed coronavirus cases in Louisville and 250 related deaths, according to the city’s health department.