PHOENIX (CN) - The Arizona State lacrosse club forced underclassmen to drink a 5-gallon water cooler full of beer and a 30-pack of canned beer within 30 minutes, under threat of being tossed out of the club, says a man who claims he was hospitalized with alcohol poisoning. He says he had to drop out of ASU after "thinly veiled threats" from club members when ASU investigated the hazing.
Greyson Pendry says he also was charged with underage drinking after the hazing.
In his complaint in Maricopa County Court, Pendry says he was told that all first-year members had to attend the club's annual "Rookie Night" party, or they would be forced to quit.
At the party, Pendry says, he and other underclassmen were bound together with duct tape and upperclassmen drew "offensive phrases" such as "bitch tits" all over them. Pendry says he was forced to drink a liquid that tasted like liquor and hot sauce.
After drinking the 5 gallons and 30-pack of beer, Pendry says he was forced to strip to his underwear and put on an adult diaper. He and the other "rookies" were forced to play a drinking relay game to see which team could finish drinking a bottle of liquor first.
Pendry claims while playing the game, he chipped a tooth chipped when another member "violently" hit a liquor bottle from which Pendry was drinking.
After the game, Pendry says he vomited and had trouble breathing. He eventually was taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with alcohol poisoning and was charged with underage drinking.
Pendry says he was forced to drop out of Arizona State after members of the club subjected him to "hostile comments" and "thinly veiled threats" because the university had begun to investigate the club.
Pendry claims that the club's coach, Chris Malone, was aware "that there would be excessive drinking" at the party, but did not discourage or try to stop members from attending or hosting the party, and "simply told the team to take care of their bodies" and be ready for the game the next week.
The State of Arizona, the Arizona State Board of Regents and two lacrosse club members are also named as defendants.
Pendry seeks damages for negligence, battery, assault, and aiding and abetting. He is represented by Daniel P. Beeks with Sherman & Howard.
Follow @jamierossCNS
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