By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Published October 2025

Players from Fort Valley State and Central State clash on the sideline following the Wildcats’ homecoming game in Fort Valley, Georgia. The postgame brawl led to 20 player suspensions and fines issued by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has suspended 20 players and fined two schools following a postgame brawl between Fort Valley State University and Central State University during Fort Valley’s homecoming game.

According to the SIAC, nine Fort Valley State players and 11 Central State players were involved in the altercation that broke out after the final whistle. Both head coaches received one-game suspensions, and each school faces undisclosed fines for failing to control the situation.

SIAC Commissioner Dr. Anthony Holloman condemned the incident, calling it “unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of HBCU athletics.”

“Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have no place in intercollegiate athletics,” Holloman said. “We expect better from our student-athletes and coaches.”

The brawl comes weeks after the SWAC issued 16 suspensions and $25,000 in fines following a postgame fight between Jackson State and Alabama State, raising concerns about sportsmanship across HBCU football.

The SIAC said it will work with both universities to enforce stricter conduct standards and ensure such behavior is not repeated.

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