Elk River football team practices without several players

The Elk River High School football team returned to practice Monday, but without nine of its players and a head coach.

This was the first practice for the team since the district suspended the entire varsity program last week while investigating a hazing incident.

Sunday night, the school board removed four players from the team for the entire season, and suspended another five players.

The district isn't publicly naming those students, citing data privacy laws.

The entire team went through a training program to learn the district's policy on hazing.

Five coaches also remain on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues. Those coaches are head coach Mike Cross and four assistants -- John Pink, Brad Olson, Mark Leland, and Rick Michalak.

The Elks open their football season on Thursday.

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