CSU students angered by unnecessary roughness

By Austin Briggs, Natasha Leadem, James Reyes, Chris Lindsey, Jonathan Pait

FORT COLLINS, COLO.-Emotions are running high after recent allegations surrounding several CSU football players made news across America. From Facebook to national media outlets, pictures of Donny Gocha’s bruised and battered face have gone viral.

“It’s definitely attracted negative national attention,” an unidentified senior finance major said. “My dad called me and said that it was reported on Alabama radio.”

First reported Saturday, April 7, four CSU freshman have accused football players Mike Orakpo, Nordly Capi and Colton Paulhus of assaulting them as they walked near the intersection of Shields and Laporte. Gocha was one of two victims taken to the hospital for his injuries-sustaining lacerations to the head, swollen black eyes, chipped teeth and a severe concussion. 

Days after the reported conflict, CSU students are still adamantly voicing their frustrations surrounding the incident. CSU journalism students conducted an informal survey on campus Tuesday, April 10, in an attempt to gauge the student body’s sentiments.

In the survey, 96 students were asked to comment on the alleged assault. While news of the incident reached several national publications, survey results showed a majority of students received the news by other means. Sixty percent were informed via Facebook or word of mouth, 26 percent through campus media such as the Collegian and CTV and only 14 percent heard through other media outlets.

Of the 81 with knowledge of the incident, 84 percent believed it would negatively affect the university’s image, however, 83 percent stated that it would not affect their participation at football games 

Students are calling on the university to exact swift justice on the team members. Head coach Jim McElwain has indefinitely suspended the players from the team; however, some students surveyed said suspension is not enough. 

“I feel this punishment has not been sufficient,” said junior art major Conrad Pomrenke. “Suspension from football isn’t enough. Expulsion or suspension from all campus activities including classes is more appropriate.

Over 4,000 students have joined an online Facebook petition demanding the expulsion of the three players. “What they did is sickening,” Samantha Burnett posted on the page. “College athlete or not, what kind of person do you have to be to do something like that? They’ve lost their right to be here.”

In response to the campus uproar Tony Frank, president of CSU, attempted to calm the fevered masses via email to the student body and faculty. “When disturbing news is reported, most of us will, at least at first, react instinctively demanding immediate action, retribution or punishment for those involved,” Frank said. “But we still live in a nation where all people are innocent until proven guilty, and getting at the full truth of any incident can be complex and can take some time to be done right.”

The Fort Collins police department expects to file charges within the next few days, pending witness testimony and physical evidence. The charges could range from mutual disorderly conduct to felony assault. Although suspended from the team, the players continue to attend classes until the university receives a report from Fort Collins Police Services.

Afterwards, the Conflict Resolution and Student Council Services will hold a hearing for the players to determine further consequences including expulsion from the university.