UH linebacker won’t be suspended for punch
TONY AVELAR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Hawaii linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard walks off the field after being ejected for fighting during the second quarter against Fresno State of a NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, in Fresno, Calif. Hawaii won 14-13.
University of Hawaii Linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard will not be suspended for the Rainbow Warriors’ regular-season football finale against Massachusetts Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
In the first half of last Saturday’s 14-13 victory over Fresno State, Pritchard was ejected after video replays showed he threw a punch during an on-field skirmish. If the disqualification occurred in the second half, he would have faced an automatic suspension for the first half of this week’s game.
Head coach Nick Rolovich said it is “up to us” to determine if Pritchard will face team-imposed sanctions.
“It’s a selfish act,” Rolovich said. “It was an uncontrolled-emotion act. There’s no place for that in football.”
Rolovich received notification from the Mountain West Conference, of which UH and Fresno State are members, confirming Pritchard’s status for the coming game.
“There are a lot of things coming from the Mountain West that are enjoyable to read,” Rolovich told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, but “suspension letters like that are an embarrassment to the program, and the university, and more importantly, probably, to his family.”
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But Rolovich said Pritchard, a true freshman, expressed remorse.
“I don’t think it’ll happen again,” Rolovich said.
21 responses to “UH linebacker won’t be suspended for punch”
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Pritchard should be suspended and not allowed to play in the season finale. Either you have discipline and expect hard but clean play or you do not.
His selfish act was uncalled for. Pritchard needs to be an example for others as to the kind of conduct and behavior which will not be tolerated.
Kind of disappointed in Rolovich not dropping the boom on Pritchard. Definitely sending the wrong message.
From what I saw of the incident, it appeared that Pritchard punched one of the referee’s or did I not see what I think I saw??
Agree. That’s the problem today is that no one is held accountable for their actions.
the young man expressed remorse and coach doesn’t feel it’ll happen again. let the young man play and the coach, coach and fans be fans and support the team. Imua Warriors! Imua! HTTR!
He was retaliating for a cheap shot. Its always the retaliation that gets caught and punished, not the first cheap shot. I’m sure that had something to do with it.
he already sat out the game
I agree with you. He should be suspended for this game. He did not try to hit the ref, he was trying to hit the Fresno player, who said something to him, but he threw a punch. He should be suspended. Just my opinion.
I didn’t think it was a punch. Looked more like a one handed push to the face.
agree. The UH needs to uphold the highest standards of ethics and comportment. Football has a way of undermining the integrity of even the proudest institutions. Scandals erode confidence.
What about the UH defensive player Tulimasealii who was kicked off the team for allegedly violence to his girlfriend outside of UH and not during any UH sponsored activity? How come the UH Manoa Chancellor did not suspend Pritchard for the next game as well for physical violence ON the field at a UH game? Rolo that desperate to win the last game so they can make the UH homer bowl and he can get a garans paid extra year on his contract? If you don’t suspend Pritchard for one game for violating student conduct code then reinstate Tulimasealii to play on the team
Inverse, two very different situations. Tuli was arrested, tried, and convicted (deferral I think) for property damage. That is all covered in the student handbook and what followed by him being booted from the team is covered there too. Pritchard was in-game. C’mon…
Just by minimal chance , kt might be reinstated.
he was already suspended for the current game
Try reading the article. The ruling came from the Mountain West Conference. Rolo stated that it’s “up to us” if Pritchard still faces team imposed sanctions, meaning it’s still up in the air whether UH will impose any penalties upon him. Nothing to do with Rolo being “desperate to win”. And what is wrong with wanting another year on his contract? Do you think he wants to just leave when his contract ends? That makes no sense whatsoever.
Could someone explain why it matters if the infraction occurs in the first half or second half?
I, too, was disappointed but the conference rule stands in this case: Pritchard already served a half-game suspension. Had he been ejected in the second half, he’d be sitting out the first half against UMass.
I suppose Rolo could add further reprimands and, who knows, maybe he has or he will, but to further punish a player beyond the conference rule might also be seen as too punitive.
Too many of you are quick to judge and make a black and white opinion. I am not at their practice but it is my bet that there will some sort of a physical reminder during practice that the selfish behavior will not be tolerated.
Agree.
Maybe Rolo should hold him out of the game this Sat for one qtr. He is a freshman and he will learn.
And if anyone brings up the Kennedy situation, be sure to include that he was outside confronting HPD while completely naked.
Glad he’s not on the team.
Too much of a distraction to the team and overall program Rolo is trying to build.
Throwing a punch is one of the least effective ways to hurt someone in a helmet and pads. “Targeting” and “spearing” are cause for ejection because of the physical danger. Punching is unsportsmanlike and so is spitting, but ejection for the remainder of the game is sufficient for those types of penalties. As noted above, Pritchard no doubt had an upleasant time in practice and will show more control of his emotions in the future.
after 12 games the kid makes one mistake, relax everyone. Football is a violent sport and football players know that hitting someone in the face mask does not hurt them but instead tells them that you will not stand for whatever they are doing to you. Usually guys dont get caught.
he was ejected from the game , case dismissed. I would rather have a guy not take any crap then a whiner always pointing and asking the ref for a call, this is football a very violent sport. IMHO.