Rumble on the row

MTSU police broke up an "unsanctioned boxing event," which consisted of 30 people, including members of Sigma Chi and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternities, at the Alpha Gamma Rho house on Greek row on July 19.

The police report said that the three members of Alpha Gamma Rho who participated were all under the age of 21. The police report also said that several of the other participants admitted to consuming alcohol on campus. No citations or arrests were made during the incident.

"The occupants of the house were given warnings for the unsanctioned party/boxing matches and for hosting a party involving underage drinking," Adam Wortman, a field training officer for MTSU, said in his official report.

Wortman said he and Officer Jerah Richard were observing a gathering in the backyard of the Alpha Gamma Rho house and heard loud music and shouting. The officers entered the backyard through the Sigma Chi yard.

"Inside the house I observed a large table set up with red Dixie cups for beer pong, [and]  inside the circle were individuals involved in a boxing match," Wortman said. "One person wearing red gloves and head gear and the other in blue head gear and gloves."

Wortman also said he showed the occupants of the house the recently passed law, TCA 39-15-404(a), that any owner or occupant of real property, like the Alpha Gamma Rho house, who knowingly allows minors to possess or drink alcoholic beverages or who knowingly fails to stop a minor from doing so is in violation of the law.

"They [the occupants] stated they were not aware of the law and requested information about the law be e-mailed to them so they could educate their fraternity brothers about the law," Wortman said.

Paul Fendley, noble ruler of Alpha Gamma Rho, was out of town and unable to comment on the incident.

"The only thing that I know about the event was from the police report itself," said Byron Lightsy, coordinator of Greek Affairs. "I don't know if there was alcohol involved."

Lightsy also said that the other leaders of Alpha Gamma Rho would be unable to comment due their absence during the summer semester.

Chief of Police Buddy Peaster said that an investigation is under way to determine more information about the event.

"I don't know at this point if it was unsanctioned because there were people who were actually participating in an actual competitive event where they would declare winners or losers, or whether this was an actual fraternity event," Peaster said.

1 comments

MYOB

Mon Aug 31 2009 17:07

Dustin, you have no right to report only on the negative actions of individuals within AGR and claim AGR did this. This was not an "Alpha Gamma Rho" event, this was the action of a few select individuals. I also would like to point out there were members of other fraternities and sororities at the said event and yet you fail to trash there names. You sir, are just seeking to devalue something you cannot join. Get a life.

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