Four MSU athletes were charged on Monday as a result of an assault that sent a star basketball player to the hospital. Xavier Blount, a junior forward and MSU’s leading scorer, was knocked unconscious behind Bar IX early Sunday morning after an altercation with MSU football player Roger Trammell, a junior who has been dismissed from the team as a result of the incident.
Trammell, 21, was charged with misdemeanor assault, and Blount, 20, was charged with disorderly conduct and an MIP. Sophomore sprinter Chris Wilson, 20, and junior football player Zach Minter, 21, were also charged after the incident — Wilson for disorderly conduct and unlawful use of a driver’s license, and Minter for unlawful use of a driver’s license.“ Zach gave his ID to somebody. It was not a smart thing to do,” Athletic Director Peter Fields said at a press conference Wednesday.
“It was alcohol, young people and a conflict of interest over a young lady,” Fields said. “It’s sad that it was athletes upon athletes.”
“We do not feel that this is an accurate depiction of our student-athletes,” Fields added. “We’re dealing with the individual student-athletes that were involved.”
Fields said Trammell has been dismissed from MSU’s athletics program. Wilson is currently suspended from the track team for a week, but could be suspended for longer if news that he had a greater role comes to light. Minter will be disciplined internally. “I’m sure that he’ll have some running from the football program,” Fields said.
Fields said he has not yet had a chance to talk to Blount, who is still recovering from injuries he received, and will do so before a decision is made about punishment from the athletics department. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported that Blount suffered a dislocated shoulder, along with a broken nose and lip lacerations.
“Losing Xavier is tough for our team,” head coach Brad Huse said. Blount was a starter throughout the season, and averaged 11.7 points per game. “We have had really good production off our bench all season, and those players will have to step up a little bit more now,” Huse added.
“It’s important that our community understands that this is not acceptable, and that we’re willing to take action as far as that goes,” Fields said.
