Cross country runners stopped for streaking

Shortly after 9 p.m. Friday, eight freshmen were arrested for running through campus wearing only athletic supporters. Six of the eight students were members of the IU men's cross country team. \nFreshmen Brian Sullivan, Ryan Dixon, Brennon Plotner, Charles Keating, Paul Coover and Chris Honig are all members of the team. Freshmen Mark Fruin and Bradley Dion were also involved. \nAccording to police reports, an IU Police Department officer received a call regarding a group of people running north on Fee Lane, apparently all in the nude. \nThe officer confronted the students near the spectator entrance of the Bill Armstrong Stadium and identified himself. The students continued running toward the wooded area north of the IU Outdoor Pool, and the officer pursued them on foot. More officers arrived soon thereafter, and the students were found hiding in the woods. \nAll were handcuffed and transported to IUPD headquarters, where they were identified, cited and released.\nThe eight students were all charged with public indecency, a class A misdemeanor. They will be summoned to court this week, and will have to appear before a judge in the near future. \nPublic indecency is considered a sexual offense by Indiana law. If convicted, the students could theoretically be charged as sex offenders. But IUPD shift commander Sgt. Don Schmuhl said in a case like this, the students will normally be offered the option of a pretrial diversion, allowing them to avoid a conviction.\nThe students will also have their cases reviewed by the IU Office of Student Ethics, which could turn their offenses over to the campus Judicial Board, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig.\nThe six members of the cross country team were the only six freshmen on the team, raising suspicions of possible hazing. The IUPD, however, will most likely not investigate the incident as such.\n"We did not see anything there that indicates a violation of a hazing law according to Indiana statutes," Schmuhl said. "If someone was hurt or alcohol was involved, it would be different, but in this case, no one was hurt and alcohol was not involved."\nMcKaig, who was initially unfamiliar with the incident, said once he receives the police reports this week, the incident may be investigated by the Office of Student Ethics as a possible hazing.\n"It will be treated like any other incident," McKaig said. "If their actions are related to a student organization, it will be looked into and reported to the proper people. In this case, it would be the athletic department. Until I see the reports, it is tough to say exactly what actions will be taken."\nThe students involved were either unavailable or refused to comment.\n-- Contact staff writer David Paulen at dpaulen@indiana.edu.