BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- The Mountain East Conference has comprehensively reviewed postgame incidents following the Sat., Feb. 10, 2024 men's basketball game between West Virginia State University and Fairmont State University. With strong support from the administrations at the involved institutions, the MEC hereby issues a public reprimand to both men's basketball programs. 

The MEC strongly condemns all acts of inappropriate conduct, particularly threatening, intimidating, or abusive behavior by student-athletes, coaches, institutional representatives, or fans which compromises the spirit of competition, the health and safety of participants and attendees, or the enjoyment of the competition by spectators.

"The overwhelming majority of our 7,000-plus student-athletes competing in 23 championship sports consistently engage in appropriate behavior that properly reflects the standard of conduct expected within the Mountain East Conference," said Commissioner Reid Amos. "The inappropriate conduct displayed following Saturday's Fairmont State at West Virginia State men's basketball game only served to discredit the league, the institutions represented, and our collective efforts to support positive game environments in the MEC." 

Following a detailed investigation by the MEC in cooperation with institutional leadership, the Conference and administrators at each university have agreed to sanctions for involved student-athletes and coaches who were found to be in violation of the MEC's Code of Conduct. While no punches were thrown, a high level of inappropriate interaction between the programs occurred, which included physical altercations. This led to an extended period of unrest in the arena, which compromised the family-friendly environments that are expected at MEC events.

The sanctions will include game suspensions for multiple players. Additionally, under the MEC's strategies of progressive discipline, student-athletes, and coaches who were found to be involved in inappropriate conduct during this incident will have zero-tolerance restrictions associated with any future inappropriate conduct for an indefinite period. 

Furthermore, the league and its members ultimately hold head coaches responsible for the behavior of their student-athletes. Both head coaches are admonished for not properly displaying appropriate conduct at the conclusion of the contest, which, in the league's view, directly contributed to inappropriate conduct by some of their student-athletes. While many members of both programs consistently served to de-escalate the circumstance, too many engaged in unnecessarily hostile behavior.
All Mountain East Conference student-athletes and coaches annually commit to adherence with the MEC's Code of Conduct. Within, the expectations of appropriate conduct under MEC Bylaw 12: Appropriate Conduct are clearly established and the behaviors exhibited by those who face penalties fall well short of the expectations of the league. 

The conference further admonishes multiple non-student spectators associated with both institutions who engaged in inappropriate conduct following this contest, in violation of the MEC-established policies for fan conduct. The Conference will continue working with institutional administrators to identify fans who engaged in such and the league will determine appropriate action, which may include the pursuit of legal action, suspension of access to MEC competitions, or zero-tolerance restrictions associated with any future inappropriate conduct at MEC events. 

"The MEC will not tolerate spectators stepping over the line of appropriate conduct expectations. MEC policy restricts fans from entering playing areas while student-athletes or coaches are present for the safety of all involved. Any fan who enters a playing area without proper authorization, engages in inappropriate conduct while doing so, or engages in inappropriate conduct with institutional personnel, officials, or fellow spectators in any way will be subject to potential sanctions from the league or the MEC pursuing the enforcement of the fullest extent of the law."

Other than the conference working with each institution to address inappropriate conduct exhibited by spectators and any necessary enforcement of its progressive discipline strategies, the MEC considers the matter closed.