Summer break does not equate to a dearth of nightlife, drama and the party scene going at full swing on and around university campuses.
This statement held true Saturday morning as a melee leaving two injured broke out at a house party near the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington. According to authorities, both of the victims were taken to the hospital and one was treated for a broken jaw, undergoing intensive reconstructive facial surgery.
While college parties fueled by alcohol or drugs are synonymous with brawls or other indiscretions, what distinguishes Saturday’s incident in Pullman is that six members of the WSU football team have been named as persons of interest by police. In the modern and high stakes landscape of college sports where television contracts generate billions of dollars in fueling athletic department budgets, at times the concept of accountability is obscured. In a proclamation made by Washington State athletic director Bill Moos in the aftermath of the fight, promises were made for a full pursuit of justice. “We have high expectations for the conduct of WSU student-athletes, and treat any alleged allegations with the utmost transparency, ” Moos stated. With Pullman police facilitating a full-scale investigation, it is up to the university and coaching staff to take proper disciplinary measures, once the instigators have been officially identified.
WSU head football coach Mike Leach is no stranger to the burning cauldron of controversy and has the earned the reputation of a strict disciplinarian. Leach and the Cougars are a dark horse selection to win the Pac-12 North in 2016 after winning 9 games last season.
The victim’s family is planning to pursue the maximum sentence towards the perpetrator(s) once arrests have been made.