North Carolina State is the latest to feel the wrath of off-field tumult just ahead of the start of the 2017 season.
The football program announced Tuesday afternoon that two freshmen, wide receiver Antoine Thompson and defensive end Kevince Brown, have been dismissed from Dave Doeren‘s football program. Additionally, a trio of additional freshmen, linebacker Isaiah Moore, defensive lineman Erin Collins and defensive lineman Xavier Lyas, have been indefinitely suspended by Doeren. It’s believed those three will miss at least one game apiece.
The disciplinary measures stem from what were described as “violations of the Student Athlete Code of Conduct.”
The discipline also comes a month or so after an investigation into allegations of three separate sexual assaults at one on-campus party was launched. According to the school, however, the dismissals and suspensions “are not regarding allegations of sexual assault.”
From WNCN-TV in Raleigh:The five freshman football players were at the on-campus party in a student’s room at Wolf Village where alcohol and marijuana were present, the school said.
Investigators executed search warrants where they looked at cell phones, the residence and reviewed video from campus security cameras.
“We had five freshmen, two of whom have been dismissed, who made poor decisions that don’t align with the values of our program and each has been handled accordingly,” Doeren said in a statement. “Although I’ve disciplined these players for violations of the Student Athlete Code of Conduct, I want to make it clear that I respect due process in the University and legal proceedings. Our players understand that I’m going be firm, but fair when it comes to discipline.”
“The football players who violated the Student Athlete Code of Conduct and Football Team Rules have been disciplined by Coach Doeren, with my full support,” athletic director Debbie Yow said in hers. “Coach Doeren continues to responsibly manage difficult circumstances in an appropriate and forthcoming manner, which is greatly appreciated. Two have been dismissed from the team and are no longer enrolled at NC State, and three others have received suspensions from competition, as well as other discipline. These actions are not regarding allegations of sexual assault. We reserve the right to impose additional sanctions if new violations are discovered.”
All five players were three-star members of NCSU’s 2017 recruiting class. Only three members of that class were rated higher than Thompson.