Sports

Division II University Cancels Football Game In Wake Of Player Arrests

Christian Datoc Senior White House Correspondent
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Five California University (PA) football players were arrested on Thursday concerning a violent assault outside Spuds, a California, Penn. restaurant.

James Williamson, Corey Ford, Jonathan Barlow, Rodney Gillin and D’Andre Dunkley have been charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and conspiracy, reports CBS Pittsburgh.

According to witnesses, 30-year old Lewis Campbell confronted the young men after one of them said something to his girlfriend. The football players waited for Campbell to leave Spuds before jumping him and repeatedly stomping on his head. Campbell quickly lost consciousness, and the five fled the scene, yelling, “Football strong!”

In the wake of the arrests, California University’s Interim President Geraldine Jones canceled this week’s football game and released the following statement:

“California University does not tolerate violent behavior, and the five student-athletes charged in connection with this incident will face University sanctions, along with any penalties imposed by law.

The police investigation is continuing, and the rights of these accused students will be upheld. But in light of these allegations, I asked Coach Kellar to cancel Saturday’s game. Behavior has consequences, and all Cal U students, including student-athletes, must abide by our Student Code of Conduct if they wish to remain a part of our campus community.

At the same time, it must be clearly understood that the actions of a small group of individuals are not representative of our entire student body, nor of all Cal U student-athletes. I ask our entire campus community to recommit to our University’s core values, and to demonstrate through their words and their actions the best that our University can be.

Our hearts and our prayers go out to the victim, his family and his friends. All else pales in comparison.”