Durham, N.C. — North Carolina Central University began preparation Monday for the final game of the regular season with questions about who will be available.

Head coach Trei Oliver said he anticipated some players will be suspended once the university and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference complete investigations into a postgame fight between the Eagles and Howard University on Friday night.

Monday the Conference announced 19 student-athletes from NCCU will be suspended for Saturday’s road game at Delaware State. 17 will be suspended for one game from Howard. Additionally, one assistant coach from NCCU was determined to have violated conference bylaws. No names were announced.

“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,” said MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills. “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.”

“We’re trying to fight to get to the playoffs, and now we got some guys suspended over nonsense,” Oliver said Monday.

The brawl was captured on ESPNU and replayed over the weekend.

Oliver said, “We have an opportunity to play on ESPN, on the national stage, it’s an opportunity for us to promote our brand and our conference and HBCU football. I kind of believe that we let all of them down.”

Oliver said he did not see the fight but said, “It was disheartening. I’m very disappointed in our team and our actions after the game, whatever involvement that it might have been. There’s no room for that. It’s classless, and that’s not who we are as a program.”

Dixon’s comments were along the same lines. She called the fight “deeply disappointing” and promised disciplinary action for those involved.

“Such disruptive behavior is unacceptable, and we are committed to conducting a full investigation and taking appropriate disciplinary action to ensure accountability,” she said.

“This was a very unfortunate incident, and we are taking it with the utmost seriousness,” said MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills. “The MEAC holds its student-athletes, coaches and staff to the highest standards of sportsmanship and professionalism. We are committed to thoroughly reviewing this matter and will take appropriate disciplinary action based on our findings.”

NCCU plays it’s final regular season game Saturday at Delaware State. NCCU (7-3, 3-1 MEAC) is in second place behind South Carolina State in the MEAC.

Source: wralsportsfan.com