SIAC fines Morehouse, legal action possible after postgame incident involving Tuskegee coach
ATLANTA — Following a comprehensive review of all available video, reports, and on-site observations, SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman, Ed.D., has concluded his investigation into the unfortunate incident that involved Tuskegee University head men’s basketball coach Benjy Taylor and a member of the Morehouse College security staff at the conclusion of the men’s basketball game this past Saturday.
Taylor was handcuffed and escorted off the floor by a Morehouse security guard after Tuskegee’s 77-69 loss at Morehouse’s Forbes Arena Saturday. Morehouse and Tuskegee are leaders on the SIAC East and West respectively.
The statement from Holloman reads: “In accordance with SIAC Policy 1.9 (Security), the conference determined that Morehouse College did not satisfy the required security standards for a host institution, specifically as it relates to crowd control and ensuring the safe entry and exit of visiting teams and game participants.
“As a result, the SIAC has imposed a fine on Morehouse College of an undisclosed amount and will require corrective measures to ensure full compliance with conference security policies moving forward.”
Viral video shows Taylor speaking to law enforcement security after the game allegedly because Morehouse football players had been harassing his players during the game and were improperly entering the postgame handshake line. After Taylor was handcuffed, Morehouse head coach Larry Dixon tried to intervene with the security guard to no avail. Taylor was not charged and later released to join his team.
Taylor has reportedly hired noted civil rights attorney Harry M. Daniels. In a press release from Daniels’ law office Sunday, a spokesperson alleged that Taylor was handcuffed “needlessly” after he showed concern about a group of players from Morehouse’s football team “acting aggressively” on the court towards Tuskegee players and their parents.
“Such behavior from the Moorhouse football players, particularly their intermingling with the basketball players on the court and during the postgame handshake is prohibited by conference-mandated security protocols,” the statement said. “When Coach Taylor asked two police officers to enforce those protocols attempting to diffuse an increasingly dangerous situation, however, one of the officers chose to place him in handcuffs and escort him from the court.”
“It would be bad for a police officer to treat anyone like this,” Harry Daniels said. “But to do it to a man like Coach Taylor, a highly respected professional and role model, to put him in handcuffs, humiliate him and treat him like a criminal in front of his team, his family and a gym full of fans is absolutely disgusting and they need to be held accountable.”
Taylor has reportedly also hired attorneys Gregory Reynald Williams and Gerald Griggs to represent him.
The three say they are currently investigating all legal avenues including a possible civil lawsuit.
