More than three dozen football players and a coach were suspended by the MEAC on Monday in the fallout of a postgame brawl between Howard and North Carolina Central
The conference indicated that 19 North Carolina Central players, 17 Howard players, and one North Carolina Central coach would be suspended for their involvement in the altercation on Friday night.
“The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has a zero-tolerance policy for fighting, as it directly violates the values of sportsmanship, respect, and integrity that define our Conference,” MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills said in a statement.
“We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all student-athletes, coaches, and fans. Any actions that compromise these principles will result in serious consequences. We expect all participants in MEAC athletic events to conduct themselves with dignity and uphold the high standards that reflect the spirit of the MEAC.
During Monday’s MEAC coaches’ videoconference, NC Central coach Trei Oliver and Howard coach Larry Scott were ready to accept accountability for their football teams’ actions.
“I’m very disappointed and embarrassed about our involvement in the altercation,” Oliver said in his opening statement. “There’s no room for that, no reason for fighting. You have 60 minutes. You play hard for 60 minutes, you compete, shake hands, and let’s be done with it.”
Scott said that the lesson his team would learn from Friday’s incident is good sportsmanship.
“At this level, it’s going to get hot, it’s going to get competitive. At the same time, there’s a class about who you are and who you represent,” he said. “Always carry yourself in that fashion first and foremost, and we always talk about the character and class that it takes to have great sportsmanship. That’s what we have to keep at the forefront, no matter what end of the stick you’re on.”
