According to a press release, the conference found that both teams — Fort Valley State and Central State — had violated league policies.
FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Fort Valley State University‘s head football coach and multiple players were suspended Monday after a fight broke out with homecoming opponent Central State, according to a press release from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
They say a fight between multiple players took place after the game Saturday and, as a result, the conference suspended the head coaches and multiple players.
“Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have no place in intercollegiate athletics or within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference,” SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman said in a press release. “I am extremely disappointed that this event has overshadowed what was otherwise a very competitive football game.”
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference suspended 20 student athletes — nine from Fort Valley State and 11 from Central State — for being involved in the fight.
Both head coaches, Marlon Watson for Fort Valley and Tony Carter for Central State, were also suspended for one game.
According to the press release, the investigation from the conference found that both Fort Valley State and Central State University violated the league’s code of ethics. They also found the teams engaged in unsportsmanlike behavior.
The suspensions last for one game. Both programs were also fined by the conference, but they did not disclose how much both colleges are on the hook for.
Fort Valley State lost the close game, 18-14.
In a statement, Fort Valley State University says that the conduct did not align with the “values of sportsmanship, integrity and respect” that the university expects of its players.
“We do not condone behavior that falls short of these standards, and we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that our student-athletes understand the importance of representing the University with Wildcat pride and professionalism on and off the field,” the university said.
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference said they plan to continue working to implement policies to prevent similar fights from breaking out. They also said that they will continue to enforce “a zero-tolerance policy” for unsportsmanlike behavior.
The suspensions and fine comes as the suspension of the Blue Machine Marching Band loomed over the Fort Valley State homecoming festivities. The band was suspension over hazing allegations, which lead the the arrest of two people.
FULL STATEMENT:
Fort Valley State University announces that the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has issued an institutional fine, suspension for nine FVSU student-athletes and Head Coach Marlon Watson will serve a one-game ban following the postgame altercation that occurred during Saturday’s Homecoming game against Central State University (CSU).
We extend our sincere apologies to the Fort Valley State University community, as well as CSU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans. The actions that took place do not reflect the values of sportsmanship, integrity and respect that we uphold as an institution, athletic program and conference.
We do not condone behavior that falls short of these standards, and we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that our student-athletes understand the importance of representing the University with Wildcat pride and professionalism on and off the field.
We remain committed to learning from this experience and reinforcing the principles that define what it means to be a Wildcat