Originally published Friday, November 14, 2008 at 12:00 AM

College Football | Florida St. awaits result of brawl investigation

A brawl involving Florida State football players apparently stemmed from bad blood between some of the athletes and members of the Phi Beta...

By The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A brawl involving Florida State football players apparently stemmed from bad blood between some of the athletes and members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, a university investigator said Thursday.

Maj. James Russell confirmed that football players — he wouldn't say how many — were among at least 10 students involved in the fight Wednesday afternoon at the university student union.

"They weren't just slugging it out for no reason," Russell said. "We think there is probably some history there."

Russell said he added a second investigator to the case "to get a better picture of what happened."

Coach Bobby Bowden said he expected to hear from authorities soon.

"We haven't gotten the final report yet," Bowden said.

Florida State players become ineligible immediately if charged with a felony. Receiver Preston Parker missed the first two games this season as part of his punishment for an arrest earlier this year on drug and weapons charges. His felony weapons charge was reduced before he could regain his eligibility.

Bowden has already suspended key team members for the past three weeks for breaking team or school rules.

Notes

• Javarris James ran for a touchdown, Matt Bosher kicked three field goals and host Miami got a huge defensive stand in the final minutes to beat Virginia Tech 16-14 and move into first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division. Miami (7-3, 4-2) is a half-game ahead of North Carolina. Virginia Tech is 6-4, 3-3.

• Charlotte's board of trustees voted to accept chancellor Philip Dubois' recommendation that the school start a football program by 2013. But the unanimous vote came with qualifications: The school must raise about $45 million to pay for coaches, scholarships and a 12,000-seat, on-campus stadium.

• West Virginia players Maxwell Anderson and Jeremy Kash have been charged with battery stemming from a fight at a Morgantown bar in October.

More College Sports headlines...

Print Share: Digg Newsvine