The Louisville men’s soccer program dismissed three players and suspended three others after it was discovered the players organized an off-campus party that led to an outbreak of COVID-19 among the athletic department, according to a release from the school on Thursday. There have been 29 reported cases of COVID-19 among the athletic teams at Louisville. 

The three players who were dismissed had previous infractions, according to the release. The school did not disclose the names of the players released or suspended. 

“I'm extremely disappointed in these young men and particularly with the three that have been dismissed," Louisville coach John Michael Hayden said in a statement. "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.”

Hayden is in his second season as head coach of the program. The Louisville Athletic Director supported Hayden’s decision. 

“It is clear that these student-athletes did not meet the code of conduct of the university or their team,” Louisville Vice President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra said in a statement. “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.”

The men’s program was one of four teams the paused voluntary work-outs following the positive tests from the student-athletes.

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