The Sidelines : 12 Held in Alleged Fatal Hazing

Twelve members of a university lacrosse team were charged with misdemeanors in the death of a teammate who overdosed on alcohol during an alleged initiation.

The 12 were arrested Monday and charged by the McDonough County state’s attorney’s office with hazing and unlawful delivery of alcohol to a minor.

Nicholas Haben, 18, of Oswego was found dead Oct. 19 in a Western Illinois University dormitory room. Officials said he was forced to drink a large quantity of alcohol. Authorities refused to say how much alcohol was involved.

Haben died after he and other first-year players were led to a wooded area, swatted and encouraged to consume “rookie juice,” a concoction that included beer, schnapps, coffee, tuna, eggs and hot dogs, authorities said.

The 12 students were released after each posted $100 on $1,000 bonds.