By Matt Gleckman

Four Panther varsity soccer players were removed from the team for the rest of the 1999 season this week as a result of what one school official termed "major violations to the athletic policies handbook."

Mark Rappe, Montezuma-Cortez High School principal, did not disclose the player’s names or the nature of the violation but stated that the infraction occurred at last weekend’s road trip to Palisade and Grand Junction.

"We have strict rules and are very careful about kids activities while we are on road trips," said Rappe. "We want parents to know that we are proactive about students’ safety during these weekends."

MCHS Athletic Director Brad Jones stated that the loss of these team members, three of whom were starters, will be a big blow to the soccer program.

"They are all good kids and good players who had a very serious lack of judgment," Jones said.

"Because we do so much traveling, our rules on the road are often more strict then the ones we have at home. This is to ensure the safety of our teams. All four of these kids knew the rules and what the consequences of their actions would be," he said.

Three freshman and one sophomore have been called up to fill the center midfield, left wing, and two striker positions that were left open as a result of the cuts, according to team coach Jim Schultz.