Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Wac Suspends 4; Further Action Pending

Associated Press

The Western Athletic Conference on Friday penalized a Wyoming player and coach and a Texas-El Paso player and coach for their participation in an altercation during Thursday night’s basketball game in El Paso.

The four penalized were late-comers to the fight. Action regarding the three principals still is under review, officials said.

The WAC office said Wyoming freshman center Derek Washington and UTEP assistant Luster Goodwin would be suspended for one-half game and UTEP freshman Sharif Fajardo and Wyoming assistant Reggie Rankin must serve one-game suspensions.

The penalties will be served during today’s games.

“Washington, Goodwin and Rankin were in violation for leaving the bench,” WAC commissioner Karl Benson said. “Rankin and Fajardo were in violation as a result of physical contact they made during the altercation.”

Wyoming’s Sly Johnson and UTEP’s Jeff Spillar and Kevin Beal were ejected from the game for fighting in the altercation.

Johnson, Spillar and Beal will serve an automatic one-game suspension today as specified under NCAA rules, the WAC said. But the league also said further disciplinary action regarding those three is pending review.