Dartmouth apologizes for fight with Holy Cross

The Dartmouth athletic department and football team apologized for the fight that broke out at the end of its game with Holy Cross last weekend as the college and police continued to investigate the incident.

After winning in overtime, Holy Cross players celebrated atop the Dartmouth "D" painted on the field, and fights broke out when the teams lined up for post-game handshakes. Some players were thrown to the ground and kicked. Coaches, campus security and Hanover police broke it up. No one was hurt.

"It is obvious that many players and some staff of both teams were involved in this incident," athletic director Jo Ann Harper said Thursday. But she said she was not able to identify specific participants.

"Coach (Buddy) Teevens, his staff and his players have acknowledged that the actions displayed Saturday were not in keeping with acceptable standards of behavior at Dartmouth, nor with the great traditions of Dartmouth football and Dartmouth athletics in general," Harper said.

The game wasn't televised and the fight so unexpected and short that the cameraman filming the game for Dartmouth caught only the end.

Police Chief Nicholas Giaccone has said the video hasn't been very useful. He said punches were thrown, but he's relying more on memory than video.

"For me to say what an individual person was doing ... there was too much going on," he said.

Harper said she has concluded her investigation and turned information over to Dartmouth's dean for review.

Acting Dean Daniel Nelson says if his review finds sanctions are warranted against individuals or the team under Dartmouth's standards of conduct, the matter will be handled through the normal disciplinary process.

Holy Cross sports information officer Charlie Bare in Worcester, Mass., didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.