Four rugby players arrested in alleged assault
Four member of California University of Pennsylvania’s rugby club were charged with assaulting two men at a fraternity house early Friday, prompting university official to put the club under an interim suspension.
California police said Rithichai V. Phothisuk, 20, of Cheswick; Michael C. Boyd, 20, of Finleyville; Jacob W. Hetzer, 21, of Stoystown and Joel A. Zollars, 22, of Waynesburg were each charged with burglary, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Police alleged the four came uninvited to the TKE fraternity house at 334 Second St. around 2:50 a.m., “forcibly” entered the home and then got into a fight with people there. During the fight, police said that David Thomas Constance, 20, of Birdsboro was knocked the ground and punched and kicked in the face. Campbell Quick, 21, of California was repeatedly punched in the head and face, police said.
Police said Constance was taken to Mon Valley Hospital in Monongahela for treatment of his facial injuries and Quick was treated at the university’s health center for facial injuries.
Police said all four were put into the Washington County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond by Magisterial District Judge Joshua P. Kanalis.
Christine Kindl, director of communication and public relations for Cal U, said all students are expected to abide by the university’s code of student conduct. She said university officials have “taken immediate action in response to this incident.”
A weekend match-up against West Virginia University has been cancelled, Kindl said.
“The Cal Rugby organization is under interim suspension, and the individuals involved with be referred to the Office of Student Conduct,” she said. “The rugby club is cooperating fully with the University sanctions. In addition, the club has its own code of conduct for team members. Under those guidelines, the club has removed two players from its roster and suspended two others.”