Coleman dismissed from team

By Jeff Christian

and Darrell Copeland III
The Collegian

Posted 02/05/07 - 8:36 p.m.

Fresno State men’s basketball player Ja’Vance Coleman has been dismissed from the team for violating athletic department rules, as announced by Fresno State coach Steve Cleveland Monday.

“I want to apologize to the community and to my teammates and coaches,” Coleman said in a press release issued by the athletic department. “I am determined to finish my degree and work to prepare myself for the next stage of my life.”

Coleman’s dismissal comes only a week after serving a two-game suspension for undisclosed reasons. The Bulldogs were 1-1 during Coleman’s suspension — losing at Boise State and defeating Louisiana Tech at home.

Coleman, who is majoring in Africana Studies, is expected to stay in school and continue working toward his degree.

Cleveland said that while he is no longer Coleman’s coach on the basketball floor, he is dedicated to finish his obligation to help Coleman earn his degree.

“I understand that young people make mistakes and Ja’Vance has made a mistake here,” Cleveland said. “My biggest concern is not for our program or this community or even this institution as it is for Ja’Vance.”

Cleveland said the team’s mood was somber when he informed them of Coleman’s departure at practice on Monday.

“It was a surprise and a disappointment,” Cleveland said. “He’s one of their good friends. He’s had a relationship with many of these young men for a long time. Anytime you lose a member of your family for whatever reason there’s disappointment.”

The distraction of Coleman’s dismissal will need to be filed away as the Bulldogs host the Western Athletic Conference’s top teams, No. 12 Nevada and New Mexico State, on Thursday and Saturday.

Juan Villa / The Collegian

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