SEATTLE -- Two University of Washington athletes were forced from their team by a case of offensive vandalism.

The university dropped two men from the crew team after they reportedly confessed to vandalizing a fence with offensive graffiti.

On March 25, neighbors woke up to see a six-letter offensive slur painted in bold block letters across a fence. "It was not appropriate for the neighborhood, hardly. I am glad it was cleaned up as soon as it was," said neighbor Bill Booth.

The target of the slur immediately painted over the graffiti and replaced the fence at a cost of several hundred dollars. He then learned the two UW students responsible for the vandalism were teammates on his crew team.

According to a police report, the incident was allegedly sparked when the victim missed crew practice due to an illness. Because of that, the other men in his boat were given a slower rowing substitute that may have caused them to lose to a woman's boat in a race.

Neighbors received a letter of apology written by the two crew member stating in part "in no way was my offense influenced by a hate crime motivation whatsoever."

"It takes a lot of guts to go around and apologize. I am glad he did. I think they deserve a second chance," said neighbor David Snyder.

Neighbors are appeased but the UW Athletic Department is not. As soon as the men's crew coach learned of the slur, he called the suspects' parents and dismissed the crew members.

UW athletic director Todd Turner is supporting the dismissal, saying the coach's decision was a very appropriate action.

Seattle police are investigating the incident.