Nine Millersville University football players have been suspended from the team for their roles in an alleged sexual assault at a party in an off-campus apartment over the Labor Day weekend.

The players were the only individuals involved in the alleged assault of a female student Sept. 1 at Hershey Heritage Village Apartments in Lancaster Township, investigators said.

A third party reported the alleged assault to Lancaster city police the next morning, and police contacted the university early last week, officials said.

"These are very serious allegations," MU athletics director Peg Kauffman said Monday. "If they prove accurate, this is very disappointing."

As of Monday evening, no charges had been filed.

The students' names were not released.

Police released little information about the alleged assault, including the circumstances leading to the incident under investigation.

One of the accused students leased the apartment where the assault allegedly took place, officials said.

The players have been suspended indefinitely from the team, officials said. Their futures at the university depend on investigations being conducted by city police and university officials.

"Certainly, with the magnitude of these allegations, expulsion is a possibility," university spokeswoman Janet Kacskos said.

Officials said all the players had competed in a game this year prior to their suspensions Thursday. At least five of the players were starters, and at least two are seniors.

The students are allowed to stay on campus and attend classes but have been banned from "all football-related activities," according to Millersville head football coach Joe Trainer.

Millersville has a 1-2 record this season, winning its first game Saturday in its home opener against Lock Haven. None of the nine accused students played or dressed for that game, officials said.

Trainer is in his third season as Millersville's head football coach, which means he started recruiting high school players for the team upon his arrival in 2005.

"We've got quality kids in our program. We are very aware of the impact that our football program has publicly, and (our staff and players) will do everything in our power to keep us in a good light," Trainer said Monday evening.

"Until the investigations are complete, I'll reserve all judgment" on the players' alleged actions, he said. "We are going to let the judicial system take its course. Whatever ruling is made, we'll follow that."

Lancaster city police notified Millersville University police early last week about the alleged assault.

On Thursday, university officials sent e-mails and posted bulletins in campus buildings, alerting students and faculty of the alleged assault.

Part of that two-paragraph message read:

"Members of the campus community are urged to use caution when venturing off campus for parties and other social activities. Good judgment should be exercised at all times. Consider carefully whether your presence at or near the Lancaster Green Apartments while unaccompanied could place you in danger. Should an incident take place off campus involving a possible violation of the law, the appropriate police jurisdiction should be contacted immediately."

Kacskos said the message was issued by university police in response to information they received from Lancaster city police.

Lancaster Green Apartments are mentioned in the message because one of the players allegedly involved in the assault has since moved there, Kacskos said she was told by city police.

School officials said the university's Student Code of Conduct will be followed regarding upcoming procedures to be used during the investigation and any possible sanctions against the students.

It was unclear Monday when police and university investigations will be completed.

"There is no exact time frame at this point," Kauffman said.

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com