Winston-Salem State quarterback Rudy Johnson was expected to lead his teamon the field Saturday as it attempts to win its third consecutive CentralIntercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) football championship. But after analleged incident at a celebratory banquet Friday, Johnson won't be able to play,and neither will anyone else.The CIAA on Friday night canceled the game between Winston-Salem State andVirginia State in the wake of the incident, as well as the conference's volleyballchampionships that also were to be held in Winston-Salem, N.C., this weekend.The move comes after Johnson was allegedly beaten by a group of Virginia Statefootball players in a bathroom of a WSSU campus building during the CIAAfootball banquet.The Winston-Salem Journal obtained an arrest warrant from Winston-Salem Statecampus police for Lamont Britt, a Virginia State sophomore running back, whowas charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury. According to theJournal, Britt is being held in Forsyth County (N.C.) Jail with bond set at $7,500and has a date in Forsyth District Court set for Dec. 9.A voice message and email from USA TODAY Sports to campus police lieutenantand crime prevention officer Henry Gray were not returned.The university's associate athletics director for media relations, Kevin Manns,confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Johnson had been treated and releasedfrom a nearby hospital. According to the arrest warrant, Johnson had been hitin the face and head and suffered a head laceration and swollen eye.In announcing the cancellation, CIAA commissioner Jacquie Carpenter said in astatement, "Our singular focus is on the safety and security of the CIAA'sstudent-athletes and those who follow them. It is important that everyoneinvolved in the CIAA embody our mission every day by acting as upstandingindividuals on and off the field. We must work together to hold each other tohigher standards of responsible judgment and conduct because we mustdemand that if we are to succeed."We did not make this decision lightly, as its impact is far and wide – affectingour student-athletes, alumni, fans, sponsors and more. But the CIAA has longhad policies to encourage responsible behavior, and must consider what isnecessary to assure days like today are not repeated, ever."Winston-Salem State Chancellor Donald Reaves said in a statement Friday night,"I am saddened to report that at today's CIAA pre-championship game luncheonheld at the Anderson Center of the WSSU campus that our starting quarterback,Rudy Johnson, was viciously beaten by one or more members of the VirginiaState football team."There is no excuse for the behavior of the Virginia State players. One suspecthas admitted to his role in the attack and has been arrest on criminal assaultcharges. The University Police Department is attempting to identify the otherVSU players who were involved. Today's event was supposed to be a celebrationfor both teams and for all the players who were being recognized for anoutstanding season. The actions from the Virginia State players certainly changedthe outcome for everyone."On its university web site, Virginia State released a statement reading, "VirginiaState University is aware of an incident involving student athletes from WinstonSalem State and Virginia State Universities. VSU officials are fully cooperatingwith the CIAA in their investigation, and as a result, will not be able to commentany further."Johnson, a junior from San Diego who transferred from Texas Southern earlierthis year, has led his team to a 9-1 record and was named the CIAA's first-teamquarterback on Wednesday. Winston-Salem State has been ranked as a leadingcontender for the 2013 NCAA Division II football playoffs after reaching thechampionship game in 2012.
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Crazy! the fans. the bands worked its crazy! I hope SU&JSU Dont act a fool band or team because words can be exchanged remember pv su 98 an uapb vs su lord SWAC dont do this. They were expecting over 30k tomorrow and live on Bouncetv.
CIAA championship canceled
Winston-Salem State quarterback Rudy Johnson was expected to lead his team
on the field Saturday as it attempts to win its third consecutive Central…
I dont think so the CIAA themselves cancelled it if this happen between any swac team im.sure the event would be cancelled too the schools will refund the money but im sure the Mayor agreed too! a L toboth to prove a point no plays off either! but sueing wont happen the law in that area support the CIAAan Mayor decision.
never mind the Mayor did agree due to more drama could have happen on the field the next day VSU will get the raft of this big time due to its was their team. Both bands are suppose to do a public performance im hearing though.
This is a sad day in the HBCU world. WE as a people really need to do better. This is being reported nationally on ESPN. Not a good look for HBCU's....smdh
They had to cancel the game, because they would have needed all types of security to prevent something from happening to the Virginia State football team.
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Oh my goodness, this is terrible. OMG
Tiffani said: Crazy! the fans. the bands worked its crazy! I hope SU&JSU Dont act a fool band or team because words can be exchanged remember pv su 98 an uapb vs su lord SWAC dont do this. They were expecting over 30k tomorrow and live on Bouncetv.
Somebody is gonna get sued. The CIAA will have to pay the city something.
This is a sad day in the HBCU world. WE as a people really need to do better. This is being reported nationally on ESPN. Not a good look for HBCU's....smdh
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9981615/five-virgini...
First Grambling, now this? SMDH...
They had to cancel the game, because they would have needed all types of security to prevent something from happening to the Virginia State football team.
In the words of Rodney King, "can we get along"?
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