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| Frame grab of Fitchburg State athletics video shows Falcons player Kewan Platt leveling a Nichols shooter well after he released the ball. He was whistled for a flagrant foul and ejected. |
Late in Tuesday night's game between Nichols and Fitchburg State, Kewan Platt was ejected after leveling Nichols' Nate Tenaglia late in the game.
Platt had already received a technical foul earlier in the game. He was ejected, contrary to some national media outlet reports. The school announced on Wednesday that it had suspended him from the team and barred him from campus.
"The Fitchburg State community is appalled by the conduct displayed during Tuesday night's home basketball game," the college said in a statement. "The player involved has been indefinitely suspended from the team and barred from campus, effective immediately. His behavior is antithetical to our community values and good sportsmanship. Fitchburg State does not tolerate behavior that violates those standards. The case is being reviewed at the student conduct level for consideration of further sanctions."
Platt can be seen on the previous possession in the video below, air-balling a 3-point shot and then complaining to an official. He came down and leveled Tenaglia on Nichols' subsequent offensive possession. Nichols went on to win, 84-75.
Platt had been named MASCAC player of the week the previous week.
“The MASCAC and Fitchburg State University take this incident very seriously,” said MASCAC commissioner Angela Baumann. “We are appalled by the actions of the student-athlete.”
“He has been indefinitely suspended from the team and barred from campus. In addition, the case is under review by Fitchburg State for consideration of further sanctions. The MASCAC has also vacated his player of the week award. His behavior goes against the MASCAC’s mission which includes good sportsmanship. On behalf of the MASCAC and Fitchburg State, we apologize to the Nichols College student-athlete, the team and institution.”
Nichols is a member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference. Tenaglia finished the night with 11 points. It was his only 3-point attempt.
“We were troubled by the unfortunate incident that occurred at Tuesday evening’s men’s basketball game at Fitchburg State University,” said Nichols athletic director Chris Colvin. “The Nichols College student-athlete involved was able to complete the game, and we continue to monitor his health.
“We are proud of the way our student-athletes handled the incident and that they did not allow it to escalate. We are aware that the Fitchburg State administration is handling the matter.”
Platt, who is a recent transfer into Fitchburg State, released a statement on social media, saying: "I hereby want to apologize and show my deep regret upon my actions that occurred during the game against Nichols College the other night. What I did is totally unacceptable and not justified in any way. I got frustrated and lost control over my behavior. I know these words cannot undo my wrongdoings. In the future I promise to make better choices.
"I'm not only apologizing to Nate Tenaglia, but also to my teammates, the coaching staff, the University and the whole basketball community."