20 players, 2 coaches suspended after fight at Fort Valley State football game

Two college football teams have been fined, and 20 players and two coaches have been suspended after a fight at a game on Saturday.

Fort Valley State University, about 28 miles southwest of Macon, has been fined by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference after the postgame brawl during the homecoming football game against Central State University, a school in Ohio.

Nine FVSU athletes were suspended, and Wildcats head coach Marlon Watson will also serve a one-game ban, the university announced Monday.

The university did not specify the cost of the fines or say which players were suspended.

“We extend our sincere apologies to the Fort Valley State University community, as well as CSU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans,” FVSU said in a statement. “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.”

The university said it does not condone behavior that falls short of those standards.

FVSU officials added that they are taking steps to ensure athletes “understand the importance of representing the University with Wildcat pride and professionalism on and off the field.”

‘Unsportsmanlike conduct’ has no place in college sports

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced the suspensions and fines on Monday.

“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.”

After conducting a comprehensive review, the SIAC determined that both institutions violated the league’s code of ethics and conduct, according to the press release.

Jaymonte Mcleod, director of external communications for the SIAC, said the organization is unable to disclose the dollar amount of the institutional fines for either college in accordance with league bylaws and sports regulations.

Twenty athletes, nine from Fort Valley State and 11 from Central State, have been suspended for their next game, SIAC said. Tony Carter, the Marauders’ head coach, will also serve a one-game suspension.

FVSU’s athletic department did not respond to questions about when athletes will return.

The conference said it will continue working with its member institutions to implement policies and procedures designed to “deter this type of behavior. The SIAC will also continue to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for all acts deemed to be unsportsmanlike,” the press release states.

“We remain committed to learning from this experience and reinforcing the principles that define what it means to be a Wildcat,” the university said.

Video of the postgame fight goes viral

The postgame fight went viral on social media.

The altercation and disciplinary action come after FVSU recently made headlines for hazing allegations involving the university’s band. Some individuals have been arrested in connection with the band investigation, according to the university.