College basketball coach suspended after hitting fan with water bottle after loss
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College basketball turned ugly on Saturday, and not because of anything that involved the game itself.
Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley was suspended for 1 game on Sunday, 1 day after he threw a water bottle that accidentally struck a child in the aftermath of the Hoyas’ 80-77 home loss to Xavier. Cooley appeared to throw the water bottle in frustration after Georgetown’s loss that dropped the Hoyas to 8-4 on the season.
After the Hoyas couldn’t come up with the tying basket in the final seconds of Saturday’s loss, an intense Cooley let his emotions get the best of him, launching the water bottle into the stands.
Here is the video of the wild incident that Cooley apologized for on Sunday:
Cooley released a statement regarding the matter on Sunday afternoon, as did Georgetown athletic director Lee Reed, who decided to suspend Cooley for the Hoyas’ next game against Coppin State.
Here is the coach’s statement in full:
I am deeply sorry for my actions during last night’s game, and sincerely apologize to the Nyahkoon family, whom I have known for years and regard as my own family. My conduct was unacceptable and does not represent who I am or the leader I strive to be. I want to also apologize to the Georgetown community, team, fans, the league and my family. I take full responsibility for my actions and their consequences. I will learn from this experience to ensure it never happens again.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
