Norfolk State Suspends Cheerleading Team Amid Hazing Claims

From Pilot and wire reports

NORFOLK

Norfolk State University has halted its cheerleading team's activities while it investigates allegations of hazing on the squad, according to a university spokeswoman.

Alexander Nicholson told WAVY-TV that his daughter and other new members of the cheerleading team were put in a dark room and told not to leave while the campus celebrated homecoming this past week with a bonfire. They also were forced to hold weights, he told WAVY.

All cheerleading activities have been suspended, pending the outcome of the school's investigation, Cheryl Bates-Lee, assistant vice president of university relations, wrote in an email.

She said the university learned of the allegations last week and suspended the squad's activities. Homecoming festivities ended Saturday.

Pilot writer Lauren King and The Associated Press contributed to this report.