Eastern Michigan Apologizes After Postgame Incident Following South Alabama’s 68 Ventures Bowl Win
Eastern Michigan's athletics director apologized after a player struck a South Alabama player following the 68 Ventures Bowl; South Alabama's Joel Erdmann said the school accepted the outreach.
MOBILE, Ala. — Eastern Michigan athletics director Scott Wetherbee issued an apology Sunday after an incident involving Eastern Michigan players following South Alabama’s victory in the 68 Ventures Bowl, and South Alabama Director of Athletics Joel Erdmann said the Jaguars accepted the school’s outreach.
What Happened
After Saturday night’s game at Hancock Whitney Stadium, South Alabama’s players gathered in front of the Jaguar Marching Band for the playing of the university’s alma mater. Videos circulated on social media showed an Eastern Michigan player running toward the group and striking a South Alabama player from behind.
The win was the first bowl victory in South Alabama history.
Eastern Michigan’s Statement
In a statement, Wetherbee said the university “strongly condemn[s] the actions of some of the student-athletes on the EMU football team in the ugly incident that took place following last night’s 68 Ventures Bowl.”
“We are deeply upset and embarrassed by what happened,” Wetherbee said. “Their conduct does not reflect the great pride and high standards we place on the game and our program, and the expectations for good sportsmanship and exemplary conduct of student-athletes on and off the field. What happened was completely unacceptable.”
Wetherbee apologized to the Eastern Michigan community and to South Alabama’s team and fans. He said he had contacted Erdmann to apologize, and that Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton had done the same with South Alabama coach Kane Wommack.
Wetherbee said Eastern Michigan is committed to sharing information and video to understand what occurred. He said he and university President James Smith have been in contact with Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher and will work jointly to investigate the incident under institutional and conference policies.
“We are continuing to review the situation and the conduct of the student-athletes involved and will take appropriate action as more information is gathered,” Wetherbee said. He noted that Creighton said in his postgame news conference that there is no place for such conduct in the Eastern Michigan program.
South Alabama’s Response
Erdmann thanked Jerry Silverstein and the city of Mobile for inviting South Alabama to the 2023 game.
“Our student-athletes and coaches enjoyed a first-class experience, and we are proud of them for winning the first bowl championship in school history in front of our loyal fans and community,” Erdmann said. “It is an achievement that will not soon be forgotten.”
Erdmann said South Alabama was disappointed in what occurred after the game but grateful that Eastern Michigan’s leadership took ownership, apologized and committed to a full investigation.
“We do not believe this incident is in any way reflective of the values of Eastern Michigan University or its football program,” Erdmann said. “We hope this situation will not take away from the fact that the Jaguars are 68 Ventures Bowl Champions.”
Background
South Alabama and Eastern Michigan each entered the game 6-6. The appearance was South Alabama’s second straight bowl trip under Wommack and its first in the 68 Ventures Bowl, which is played in Mobile. The game was also the first meeting between the programs.
