Several football players named persons of interest in weekend assault

Readers react to police confirmation that between five and twelve football players were involved in a possible felony assault at a party in the Greek row area on Saturday, July 23.

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Marc Clark: “I will be disappointed if the person or persons held responsible don’t get charged for a serious crime. This attack could be seen as attempted murder.”

Jason Roberson: “Wow, if it’s really that many players then the coaching staff needs to addressed and some changes need to be made.”

Kyle Everitt: “This had better not follow the pattern of other D1 schools and their football player “punishment” policies. They damn well better be treated like any other offender and not have their crimes shrugged off because of their status as members of the football team.”

Jane Brosius: “I hope there will be consequences for the perpetrators and not a cover up. As an alumni and a fan this hurts.”

Marilyn Washabaugh: “So no evidence yet, but let’s put it out there anyways to smear the program.”

Victims of assault recover

Readers react to an update on the condition of Alex Rodriguez, a WSU senior studying human development and psychology, and two other victims who were assaulted at a party in the Greek row area on July 23. Rodriguez underwent facial reconstructive surgery that left him with metal plates in his chin and face and his mouth wired shut. The second victim suffered a concussion and asked not to be named. A third victim, Dylan Rollins, a sophomore studying business management, tried to drag Rodriguez away from the fight and suffered facial lacerations.

Read the full article here. 

Brian Schraum: “Can Athletics please stop calling this a “team matter”? Terrible PR strategy. Call it a pending investigation, say you’re deferring to law enforcement and/or the conduct process. Stop minimizing it as an “internal matter” — at least pretend you’re taking it seriously. The written statement was solid, these other comments not so much. Much more importantly, glad to hear the students are recovering.”

Savannah Hunt: “It’s wrong for the team to react the way they are. They’re currently protecting these men and feeding an established culture athletic elitism. These men assaulted someone.”

Eduardo Castañeda Diaz: “Kicking someone in the head that is on the ground and unconscious should not be considered a ‘fight,’ it should be categorized under attempted murder. One wrong move, and this kid could have died. Instead, his jaw broke in three places at his own home and had his jaw wired shut. Is this why we go to WSU? To be assaulted by university sponsored classmate-athletes? I don’t think so.“

Editor’s note: The comments used in reader reactions are selected from public responses to stories on The Daily Evergreen’s Facebook page. The names listed with the comments are those provided as the individual’s identity on Facebook.