By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Twenty-one Centralia College athletes are suspended for the season and seven others received lesser punishments for an off-campus alcohol and marijuana party that ended with a fight and numerous arrests for underage drinking.
Centralia police responded to a report of a large fight in front of a home on Earl Street about 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 and subsequently arrested 40 people between the ages of 18 and 20 for minor in possession and/or consumption of alcohol.
Police said several student athletes hosted the gathering for their peers; the hosts were under 21 and had been drinking. Two 17-year-old girls got in trouble for the same offense, according to the Centralia Police Department.
Centralia College Athletic Director Bob Peters said today the student athletes were disciplined based on their code of conduct and team rules.
The suspensions hit the men’s baseball team especially hard with 11 of them out for the season, according to Peters.
“If this had happened a month from now, that would have been half the team,” he said.
Typically this time of year, they still have 30 to 35 individuals in baseball, and haven’t yet finalized their roster, he said.
In a news release issued on Friday, the college noted its investigation revealed 28 of their athletes attended the party, representing five different athletic programs but not all consumed alcohol. One of the two individuals who got into the fight was a college athlete, according to the news release.
The coaches recommended the discipline and the college administration concurred.
The full season suspensions also included five from the women’s softball team, two from the women’s volleyball team, one from the women’s basketball team and two from the men’s basketball team, according to Peters.
Seven other athletes were given suspensions of at least one game and up to 10 games, according to the college.
Robert Cox, vice president of student services, indicated they take situations like this very seriously.
“We hope that during the time of the suspensions the athletes will move ahead with a renewed focus on academics, athletics, and most importantly positive citizenship,” Cox stated.
All 28 will be required to complete an alcohol assessment, participate in alcohol abatement education provided by the college and engage in 10 hours of community service, according to Peters. He said they will ask the other athletes in the programs to participate, but it won’t be mandatory.
College President Robert Frost called it an unfortunate incident and told his colleagues the students deserved praise for their honesty and for taking immediate responsibility.
Centralia police the night after the party arrested a 20-year-old Chehalis resident for second-degree assault in connection with the fight, alleging he punched the other male in the face several times, breaking his nose. The suspect was booked into the Lewis County Jail but released the following day with no charges filed.
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For background, read “Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup – COLLEGE PARTY ENDS WITH NUMEROUS ARRESTS from Sunday January 25, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Nothing wrong with having college sports at CC, Bill…there are only six programs, which is pretty minimal, both the gym and Wheeler Field are nice venues to watch a game and it’s hard to beat $5 to watch an NWAC basketball doubleheader. But “one of the best baseball programs around,” XDs? Their record over the years strongly suggests otherwise.
Back on topic, it IS good that there’s some accountability among Blazer athletes, although the college had little choice. Too big to sweep this one under the rug.
Wow! I used to party like a rock star in college. Beer, liqueur, weed, women, and anything else. What a crock of crap. Let the kids party, fight, and you know what else. Who gives a crap?
You college kids need to know how to party though. Rent a house out in the sticks and throw the party there. Not I the middle of town!
I don’t think you understand what the coach meant. As a coach, I do.
He meant had it been a month later and the final team rosters were made then he would have lost half of the roster, as it is now they are going to have to take on other players who otherwise wouldn’t have made the cut.
XDs says: I agree partially with you and yet the coach is relieved it happened now and not later because it would ave been over half his team. It should not matter when it happens. The message that needs to be sent is this behavior has consequences.
Help me understand this:
““If this had happened a month from now, that would have been half the team,” he said.
Typically this time of year, they still have 30 to 35 individuals in baseball, and haven’t yet finalized their roster, he said.”
So, because the basketball athletes are still in baseball, they don’t get suspended from the basketball program? They get a pass? How is that ok? Athletics are athletics. Why not one code for the entire league/school?
Centralia college has one of the best softball & baseball programs around.
Good to see they still hold integrity highly. If this were the NFL or NBA it would have never been mentioned.
Does Centralia College really need and athletic program?