20 Players, 2 Coaches Suspended After Fight at Fort Valley State Homecoming Game

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has fined two universities and issued suspensions to 20 players and two coaches following a postgame fight that broke out during Fort Valley State University’s (FVSU) homecoming football game against Central State University (CSU) on Saturday.

According to a statement released Monday, nine Fort Valley State players and 11 from Central State have been suspended for one game. FVSU head coach Marlon Watson and CSU head coach Tony Carter will also serve one-game suspensions. The SIAC did not disclose the amount of the fines issued to either program, citing conference bylaws.

“Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have no place in intercollegiate athletics or within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference,” said SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman. “I am extremely disappointed that this incident has overshadowed what was otherwise a very competitive football game.”

FVSU, located about 28 miles southwest of Macon, apologized in a statement, saying the fight “does not reflect the values of sportsmanship, integrity, and respect that we uphold as an institution, athletic program, and conference.”
The university added that steps are being taken to ensure athletes understand the importance of representing the Wildcats “with pride and professionalism on and off the field.”

The SIAC said its review determined both institutions violated the league’s code of ethics and conduct. Conference officials emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward unsportsmanlike behavior and stated they will continue to strengthen measures that discourage such incidents.

A video of the altercation has since gone viral across social media platforms, drawing widespread attention and criticism. The fight marks another controversy for Fort Valley State, which recently faced hazing allegations involving its university band. Several individuals have been arrested in connection with that separate investigation.

“We remain committed to learning from this experience and reinforcing the principles that define what it means to be a Wildcat,” FVSU said.