Oregon State coach under investigation

Fresno State officials look into complaint made by football fan who was hit by a cup at Friday's Fresno State Oregon State game at Bulldog Stadium

By Joshua D. Scroggin

Fresno State is investigating a complaint made against an Oregon State coach, which alleges he threw a cup into the stands that hit a fan, a game operations official said.

Mike Rupcich, Fresno State director of events said the identity of the coach accused of throwing the cup was not known, but officials were reviewing security cameras to determine whether the event took place.

“ If we can find anything, we’ll talk to the individual [that made the complaint],” Rupcich said.

The incident allegedly took place in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game between Fresno State and Oregon State.

After a controversial penalty late in the game, fans in Fresno State’s student section threw cups of beer and half-empty plastic beer bottles at the Oregon State bench.

“ That’s an unsafe situation for everybody,” said Oregon State Athletic Director Bob De Carolis.

De Carolis, who was on the Oregon State sideline, said he did not see the cup being thrown into the stands, but that he doubts it was a coach.

“ It could have been other personnel dressed like a coach because they all dressed the same,” De Carolis said.

However, De Carolis said if the allegation prove to be confirmed, the appropriate action would be taken with the accused individual, coach or not.

De Carolis said there were probably between 12 and 20 objects thrown into the stands, but that is no excuse for retaliation.

“ If that incident did happen, it’s an inappropriate reaction to the first incident,” De Carolis said.

De Carolis said the fan behavior would be one of the factors taken into account when the time comes for him to make the decision whether or not to continue the ongoing Fresno State-Oregon State series and offered a solution to Fresno State that would alleviate the problem.

“ I would suggest swapping sidelines,” De Carolis said.