Student provokes fight with The Citadel player

Colin Donohue / Managing Editor

A fight broke out in the stands between Elon junior Dominic Barrett and The Citadel player Erick Wilson with just less than two minutes remaining in Elon’s men’s basketball game Monday night.

According to Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of students, Barrett continued to chide and verbally abuse The Citadel players. Finally, Wilson leaped from the bench and into the stands, landing a couple of blows to Barrett’s head.

Barrett, 19, was not injured in the fight and he said he does not intend to press charges.

For his role in the altercation, Barrett will go through the Elon’s disciplinary process, Jackson said.

“We saw this as something that clearly needs to be addressed,” Jackson said. “Certainly, we’ve had good fan behavior. This is not a situation that needs to be part of Elon sporting events.”

Mike Hayden, sports information director at The Citadel, said the incident is under investigation. The institution is reviewing the game tapes, but because Southern Conference officials did not eject Wilson, he cannot be suspended by the conference.

Hayden stressed, though, that The Citadel will take action.

“Obviously, this is a disappointment to The Citadel,” Hayden said. “There will be action taken to deter (this sort of behavior) in the future.”