Charleston police officers say some West Liberty University fans took their championship celebration too far at Embassy Suites Saturday night. The result were the arrests of four people including the school’s longtime athletic director.
Police charged AD James Watson, 66, his son, Brian Watson, 28, a West Liberty football player and a volleyball player during the fracas.
A crowd of about 200 people had gathered at the hotel and police were called to break things up at about 10:30 p.m. It had already been several hours since West Liberty defeated Fairmont State for its third straight WVIAC tournament championship.
Charleston PD Chief of Detectives Lt. Steve Cooper told the Charleston Daily Mail most of those in the crowd appeared to be “extremely intoxicated.”
Cooper says at one point an officer was pinned on the floor. He says at another point the crowd surrounded police and surged at them several times. There were both uniformed and plain clothed officers on the scene.
Police were trying to take Brian Watson into custody for being drunk and disorderly conduct when James Watson, who has been athletic director at West Liberty for 23 years, stepped in front of the officer and allegedly shoved him according to police. He was charged with obstruction and his son with disorderly conduct, obstruction, fleeing and public intoxication.
Officers also charged West Liberty football player Tyler Tucci, 22, for allegedly becoming aggressive with police. He had to be pepper-sprayed. He was charged with obstruction along with volleyball player Gabrielle Davis who police say came rushing at them to the aid of Tucci.
All four of the people arrested were released on bond Sunday after spending the night in the South Central Regional Jail.
Police didn’t report any injuries but the Daily Mail says a women’s basketball player tweeted she had suffered a cracked rib and pulled muscles and was treated at CAMC.
West Liberty President Robin Capehart released the following statement Sunday:
“Jim Watson is a dignified, well-respected gentlemen who has been nationally recognized as an athletics administrator during four decades of dedicated service. West Liberty, and I personally, fully support Jim,” Capehart said. “Based on the account of more than two dozen witnesses to whom I’ve spoken, we look forward to the judicial process in regard to this matter.”
The West Liberty Hilltoppers are the top-ranked team in NCAA Div. II. There are no reports of any of the team’s players being involved in the incident.