2008 Woodie Awards
Bow and Arrows lead to removal of Penn State players
Wade Malcolm ; Daily Collegian (Pennsylvania State U.)
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
(U-WIRE) UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State football team had a meeting late last week where coach Joe Paterno indefinitely suspended players Scott Paxson, Tyler Reed, Andrew Richardson and E.Z. Smith for their potential involvement in a January bow and arrow incident, according to three sources close to the situation.
Additionally, the three sources indicated that though the players have been suspended until the situation is resolved, they anticipate developments early this week.
"We're optimistic things are heading in the right direction," said one source, who asked to remain anonymous. "I suspect, hopefully, very early [today] we will have good news."
Summary charges for criminal mischief, stemming from the incident in which an arrow was allegedly shot from a compound bow into a wall of Nittany Apartments Building 33, 600 E. Pollock Road, were filed Tuesday by Penn State University Police against Paxson and Reed, both of Nittany Apartments Building 33.
Neither Richardson, also of Nittany Apartments Building 33, nor Smith -- who lives in an off-campus residence, according to Penn State Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson -- were named in the criminal complaint. None of the four players could be reached for comment.
Paterno indicated at his pre-spring practice press conference Wednesday that the university is also seeking disciplinary action and that he would wait to handle the situation.
"I have heard six different stories; I am going to wait," Paterno said. "I'll let the university handle it their way, and then I will handle it my way."
Nelson said yesterday none of the players' official statuses on the team have changed, but he could not confirm or deny if Paterno told the players they are suspended until the situation has been resolved.
"I wasn't there, so I don't know," Nelson said.
He added that he was unaware of any change of status for any of the four throughout the course of the semester, including immediately following the incident.
Because the offense was not a violent crime, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon could not comment on how the university is handling the situation or whether the Office of Judicial Affairs is processing the case.
He did, however, indicate that any time a student is charged with damaging university property or having a bow and arrow, which is considered a weapon, on campus, the case is put before Judicial Affairs.
As of yesterday, Reed and Paxson were still the only two charged.
According to university police, the two allegedly fired the compound bow sometime between 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 and 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29.
No one was injured in the incident, but damage is estimated at about $700 and the two would be ordered to pay restitution if found guilty.
In 2004, Paxson and Smith started all 11 games at defensive tackle and center, respectively, while Reed started nine games at guard and Richardson started six games at offensive tackle.
Additionally, the three sources indicated that though the players have been suspended until the situation is resolved, they anticipate developments early this week.
"We're optimistic things are heading in the right direction," said one source, who asked to remain anonymous. "I suspect, hopefully, very early [today] we will have good news."
Summary charges for criminal mischief, stemming from the incident in which an arrow was allegedly shot from a compound bow into a wall of Nittany Apartments Building 33, 600 E. Pollock Road, were filed Tuesday by Penn State University Police against Paxson and Reed, both of Nittany Apartments Building 33.
Neither Richardson, also of Nittany Apartments Building 33, nor Smith -- who lives in an off-campus residence, according to Penn State Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson -- were named in the criminal complaint. None of the four players could be reached for comment.
Paterno indicated at his pre-spring practice press conference Wednesday that the university is also seeking disciplinary action and that he would wait to handle the situation.
"I have heard six different stories; I am going to wait," Paterno said. "I'll let the university handle it their way, and then I will handle it my way."
Nelson said yesterday none of the players' official statuses on the team have changed, but he could not confirm or deny if Paterno told the players they are suspended until the situation has been resolved.
"I wasn't there, so I don't know," Nelson said.
He added that he was unaware of any change of status for any of the four throughout the course of the semester, including immediately following the incident.
Because the offense was not a violent crime, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon could not comment on how the university is handling the situation or whether the Office of Judicial Affairs is processing the case.
He did, however, indicate that any time a student is charged with damaging university property or having a bow and arrow, which is considered a weapon, on campus, the case is put before Judicial Affairs.
As of yesterday, Reed and Paxson were still the only two charged.
According to university police, the two allegedly fired the compound bow sometime between 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 and 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29.
No one was injured in the incident, but damage is estimated at about $700 and the two would be ordered to pay restitution if found guilty.
In 2004, Paxson and Smith started all 11 games at defensive tackle and center, respectively, while Reed started nine games at guard and Richardson started six games at offensive tackle.