BERKELEY — California has suspended an unidentified football player for instigating a locker room altercation that sent freshman running back Fabiano Hale to the hospital.
Coach Sonny Dykes announced Friday that after an internal examination of the incident on Nov. 1, the player will be suspended indefinitely from all team activities, will attend counseling and must perform 25 hours of community service to be considered for reinstatement.
"There is no excuse for what occurred," Dykes said in a statement. "We are building a culture of accountability and trust within our football program. Our players understand those expectations and know that they should hold themselves to high standards at all times, whether that's on or off the field or in the classroom. Any violation of that code of conduct will always be taken very seriously."
Hale, a walk-on from Santa Cruz, told the Santa Cruz Sentinel he suffered a concussion and had stitches around one of his ears. Hale has not played this season.
The decision is independent of an ongoing campus police investigation and any campus student conduct measures that may be taken.
The altercation is part of a difficult first season for Dykes at Cal. The Bears (1-9, 0-7 Pac-12) have not beaten an FBS team heading into their next-to-last game Saturday at Colorado.
"I am confident in the program that coach Dykes is building and the values he is instilling among the young men on our football team," athletic director Sandy Barbour said in a statement. "All of our student-athletes are expected to maintain themselves in a professional and respectful manner and take responsibility for their actions. After gathering the facts in this particular situation, it was clear that did not occur, and we feel we have taken appropriate disciplinary steps."
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