College Beat: Blackbird hoops suspensions lifted, all four to sit out first two conference games
The black cloud hanging over the LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds’ upcoming defense of their consecutive Northeast Conference championships has been lifted, albeit with some conditions, the Downtown school announced Monday.
Reigning NEC Player of the Year Julian Boyd, All-NEC forward Jamal Olasewere, starting shooting guard C.J. Garner and sophomore swingman Troy Joseph were suspended from school following their arrests for a physical altercation during an on-campus party on Sept. 15. The four were charged with assault, but swiftly appealed the suspensions, resulting in a university investigation.
After what school provost Gale Stevens Haynes called “careful consideration” of the players’ appeals, the administration ruled this week that all four could return to classes and team activities, but would be banned from the first two NEC games of the season.