Columbia University bans some wrestlers from competing

NEW YORK (AP) -- Columbia University is suspending some wrestlers from the team for as long as the rest of the school year after crude text messages came to light. But other team members can continue competing, including in a state championship this weekend.

The Ivy League school announced the decision Friday. Columbia had put all competition on hold Monday, after a student-run blog published screengrabs of lewd and racially insensitive messages it said were exchanged by seniors on the team.

Columbia's Athletics Department said Friday it determined only a "distinct group" of wrestlers was involved.

Columbia wouldn't say how many are suspended from the team, citing educational privacy laws. None are suspended from the university, just from the wrestling squad.

Their coach and assistant coaches haven't immediately responded to email and phone messages.