Multiple Washington State Football Players Accused of Assault

Several Washington State football players are at the center of an assault investigation after one student suffered a fractured jaw and another was knocked unconscious at a party in the early morning of July 23.

Chad Sokol of the Spokesman-Review reported on the incident on July 25, which allegedly featured an undisclosed number of football players. None of the players involved have been identified.

Alex Rodriguez, a 21-year-old student at WSU, needed surgery to repair his jaw after the melee.

On Friday, Stefanie Loh of the Seattle Times tweeted that Cougars head coach Mike Leach said "the party turned fight/alleged assault incident was overblown."

However, Leach did note the players should have been smart enough to vacate the party when the fight started, per Loh.

Leach added that he doesn't expect to kick any players off the team in regards to the incident, per Loh.

The student who was knocked unconscious, who did not publicly identify himself, said the players were being destructive and shooting fireworks among the crowd. He then asked them to leave, at which point he was allegedly attacked.

"All I remember is telling them to leave multiple times," the student told Sokol. "I came to on the ground with police and EMTs over me."

Video of the altercation, captured on Snapchat by an attendee of the party, has made its way online:

Pullman police Cmdr. Chris Tennant spoke with Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman-Review regarding the investigation:

"

We're looking at this as a very serious felony assault level based on the injuries to two victims. I would like to make arrests later in the week. I don't know if that's a realistic timeline. I expect this to be a lengthy investigation. A lot of people have to be interviewed.

"

Washington State director of athletics Bill Moos later issued a statement on the incident, via Loh:

"

In regards to the events that took place over the past weekend, the university was made aware of the situation shortly after the incident occurred. It is our understanding there is a thorough investigation underway by local law enforcement and we will cooperate fully as we take these matters seriously. In addition, facts are being gathered within the athletic department in order to provide assistance. We have high expectations for the conduct of WSU student-athletes, and treat any alleged allegations with the utmost transparency. The WSU athletic staff is in constant communication with the Office of the President and the Office of Student Life to ensure that university leadership is aware of the continuing investigation by local law enforcement. We will refrain from further comment until the findings of the investigation are complete.

"

Prior to Moos' statement, Washington State associate director of athletics Bill Stevens said the school was aware of the incident. However, coaches did not comment, and Stevens called it "a team matter."