Colorado State football team activities have been suspended indefinitely due to allegations of racism and verbal abuse in the program.

On Friday night, CSU released a statement from athletic director Joe Parker.

“Today, we learned of some extremely troubling allegations of racism and verbal abuse from CSU’s athletic administration generally and in the football program specifically.

“I have consulted with President (Joyce) McConnell about these new allegations, which obviously deeply concern her as well.  Effective immediately, and for the best interests of our student-athletes, I am pausing all football-related activities indefinitely.  This includes practices, workouts, and team meetings.

“I have also asked President McConnell to expand the independent investigation she announced on Tuesday to include a comprehensive review of our athletic department and football program specifically related to allegations of racism and verbal abuse. While we have been working hard towards playing football this fall, the holistic well-being of our student-athletes is our unequivocal top priority. We must and will address these allegations before we focus on playing football.”

The Coloradoan reached out to CSU leadership on Friday seeking interviews regarding an investigation by the paper looking into allegations by multiple former CSU players and athletics staff who say they witnessed racial insensitivity and emotional and verbal abuse among coaches and athletic administrators.

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McConnell hired the law firm Husch Blackwell on Thursday to conduct an independent investigation of the athletic department’s handling of COVID-19 health protocols. That came in response to a Coloradoan report in which CSU athletes and staff voiced concern about coronavirus protocols.

CSU voluntarily shut down summer workouts on July 29 following a surge in COVID-19 positive tests. The football program had 11 positive tests as of Aug. 3. Another round of 150 coronavirus tests (all CSU athletes, not just football) were conducted Monday.

The results of those tests have not been shared.

The Coloradoan requested updated COVID-19 test result numbers on Friday but they have not been provided as of 6:30 p.m. Friday.

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