Croom Announces Disciplinary Action Against Six Bulldogs
Four sophomores ?€“ defensive backs Keith Fitzhugh and Derek Pegues, offensive lineman Michael Gates and defensive lineman Charles Burns ?€“ and two redshirt freshmen ?€“ defensive lineman Quinton Wesley and quarterback Tray Rutland ?€“ were arrested on assault charges stemming from an incident at Level III, a facility in downtown Starkville, Saturday.
The university, its athletic department and the football program have cooperated fully with the Starkville Police Department during the investigation of the incident. The case will resume in Starkville Municipal Court May 1.
It is my intent to discipline our players as if they were my own sons, Croom said, my own flesh and blood. I believe this is the appropriate disciplinary action for the facts as we know them to be.
I'm disappointed that the players have put themselves in a very embarrassing situation and did not use good judgment in a conflict situation, Croom continued. I'm just hopeful that lessons have been learned. As these young men move into mature adulthood, as they meet crisis situations, they must learn to either defuse the situation or walk away from it.
Croom announced that all six players would be suspended indefinitely from the football team. He also stated that the six would be banned from off-campus activities at Level III and that they would face an 11 p.m. curfew through the end of the spring semester. Finally, the six student-athletes will be required to participate in on-campus sensitivity counseling and training. Further disciplinary action could occur, pending the outcome of the judicial process.
Ultimately, I am responsible for their actions and I take full responsibility, Croom said. But I want to stress that these are good kids who come from good families, who made a serious mistake in judgment.
Neither Croom nor the players will comment further on the disciplinary action until the legal process runs its course.