Naked team picture puts Bethany boys golf team on suspension

August 22, 2011|By Melody Pettit | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(LINDSBORG, Kan.) — "My stomach dropped and I thought this can't be good," said Bethany College Head Golf Coach and Athletic Director Jon Daniels.

That's the reaction he had when he saw the controversial picture.

"Initially I was very disappointed," Daniels said.

It was team picture day, but the guys on the Bethany College golf team wanted something different.

"It's just a fun thing, we all had had a great time doing it," said junior team member Norrie Steyn.

The shoot started with all their clothes on but they say one thing led to another.

"It was only intended as a bit of fun with the lads," said senior team member Jac Hiscock who is from England.

And they ended up with the controversial picture.

"We all have our shirts off, our shorts to ankles and we are holding golf clubs in front covering up our um, male parts," Hiscock said.

"We try to teach morals and values and this is one of those lessons," said coach Daniels.

The picture doesn't violate any athletic regulations, the problem came when the team named Bethany College in the caption online. The school cites inappropriate use of their name and suspended the entire team for the first three conference tournaments.

"The whole team is frustrated. We think the punishment is a bit harsh not fair," Hiscock said.

The punishment could mean an end to their season before it even starts but coach says he's okay with that as long as his team learns a lesson.

"I just want to make sure they understand life choices and consequences," said Daniels.

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Bethany College has suspended the men’s golf team over a naked team photo that was posted on Facebook. In the photo, the golfers stripped down and posed with strategically placed golf items covering their private parts.

Members of the golf team say they had the idea after seeing a similar photo of the UCLA men’s golf team. The golfers say they didn’t realize what the reaction would be.

Officials from Bethany College, a Lutheran school in Lindsborg, have suspended the team from playing three tournaments and insisted the photo be removed from Facebook. They say the photo sends the wrong message.

The golf team is appealing the decision and the school is scheduled to have a decision by the end of the week.

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