it may not have been as severe as thought...nobody has discussed the specifics. There was talk of legal action from the players as the AD and School may have jumped to conclusions a bit quickly.
It likeley had to do with some players "dressing up" Bret Lawrie style. All the kids I know on the team are stand up guys.
Without the real story it's hard to determine if the punishment fit the crime. From one side it's a positive step in establishing a deterrent; on the other hand, no laws were likley broken, and I don't think anyone had complained - more of a case of the aurhorities finding out.