Cal U. football players charged for fight
Top row from left, Jonathan Barlow, D'Andre Dunkley and Corey Ford. Bottom row from left, Rodney Gillin and James Williamson
Rodney Gillin
Jonathan Barlow
James Williamson
D'Andre Dunkley
Corey Ford
Five California University of Pennsylvania football players were arrested Thursday for allegedly beating a 30-year-old man outside of a California restaurant. California police said the man, Lewis Campbell, was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital with a severe brain injury.
California University cancelled Saturday afternoon’s football game against Gannon following the attack, which happened in front of Spuds restaurant at 227 Wood St.
The five players arrested were James Williamson, Corey Ford, Jonathan Barlow, Rodney Gillin and D’Andre Dunkley.
According to California police, the five were charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and conspiracy. They are in Washington County jail on $500,000 bond.
Witnesses said an argument broke out between Ford, 22, a senior defensive back from Harrisburg, and a woman, Syresse Asparagus, in front of the eatery at 2:07 a.m. Asparagus is Campbell’s girlfriend. When Campbell intervened, he was beaten.
Interim president Geraldine M. Jones said the university “does not tolerate violent behavior, and the five student-athletes charged in connection with this incident will face University sanctions, along with any penalties imposed by law.
“The police investigation is continuing, and the rights of these accused students will be upheld. But in light of these allegations, I asked Coach (Mike) Kellar to cancel Saturday’s game. Behavior has consequences, and all Cal U. students, including student-athletes, must abide by our student code of conduct if they wish to remain a part of our campus community.
“At the same time, it must be clearly understood that the actions of a small group of individuals are not representative of our entire student body, nor of all Cal U. student-athletes. I ask our entire campus community to recommit to our university’s core values, and to demonstrate through their words and their actions the best that our university can be.
“Our hearts and our prayers go out to the victim, his family and his friends. All else pales in comparison.”
Witnesses told police the football players beat, kicked and stomped on Campbell until he was unconscious.
According to witnesses, the five students got into a white Acura parked at the restaurant and chanted “Football strong.”
Cal U. football coach Mike Kellar did not respond to a message seeking comment.
Warrants were served on the five at Adamson Stadium where the players were practicing and they were arraigned before District Magistrate Joshua Kanalis.
The players were immediately suspended from the university and the football team. Barlow, 21, of Pittsburgh, is a sophomore defensive lineman; Dunkley, 19, of Philadelphia, is a freshman tight end; and Gillin, of Reading and Williamson, of Parkville, both 20, are junior defensive backs.
Bond was set at half a million dollars because of the severity of Campbell’s injuries. He was flown by emergency helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, where he is in the intensive care unit.
Jeff Shuman, owner of Spuds, said in the five years since his restaurant opened, the borough has dealt with “ongoing incidents” from a small group of California University athletes.
“The kids who play football, for the five years we’ve been here, have gotten off the hook for things I don’t think they should have gotten off the hook for. I hope this sets an example to the school that maybe they shouldn’t be bringing in some of the kids they’re bringing in to play football,” said Shuman, who now closes his restaurant at 1 a.m. instead of 3 a.m. “It’s a handful of kids who cause the problems, and maybe this will turn the school in a different direction and make them re-evaluate who they’re bringing in.”
The school contacted the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference to inform the conference it had forfeited the game.
PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray said the PSAC will uphold California’s decision to forfeit the contest.
“Clearly, this is a very serious situation that extends far beyond the results of a football game,” said Murray. “We accept California’s decision to not play this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family.”
The forfeiture will negate a match of two of the league’s top Western Division teams. California, at 6-1 in the PSAC, will fall to 6-2, while Gannon will improve to 6-2.
Staff writer Joe Tuscano contributed to this story.