A brawl broke out following Fort Valley (Ga.) State's homecoming game against Central State, leading to the suspension of 20 athletes, as well as institutional fines.
"Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have no place in intercollegiate athletics or within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference," said SIAC commissioner Anthony Holloman. "I am extremely disappointed that this event has overshadowed what was otherwise a very competitive football game."
Following a review of the situation, the SIAC determined that both schools violated the league's code of ethics and conduct, resulting one-game suspensions for nine athletes from Fort Valley State and 11 from Central State. Both head coaches will also serve one-game suspensions.
The Olympian reported that the SIAC also fined both schools an undisclosed amount, with the league reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy for unsportsmanlike behavior.
Central State pulled off one of its biggest wins of the season - an 18–14 road upset over Fort Valley State in front of 8,000 fans at Wildcat Stadium.
The suspensions will affect both programs heading into the upcoming SIAC matchups. The league emphasized that it will continue to enforce strict accountability while working with member institutions to preserve the integrity of competition across HBCU athletics.
