Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for March 1, 2006 OLD BUSINESS

From the WPSD TV Channel 6 web site...

IL: Coach Pleads Guilty to Riot Involvement

John Knicely,
WPSD NewsChannel 6

The final chapter of an ugly high school basketball riot in Southern Illinois appears to be closed. A former Cairo assistant coach pleaded guilty Tuesday to his role in a riot that followed Massac County's upset of Cairo in the 2004 regional championship.

After the Massac County High School boys basketball team won the game on their home court, fans from both teams ran onto the court. Fights quickly erupted.

"Arms were swinging, hands were flying, it got crazy," said Steve Foss who volunteered to work crowd control for the game.

Video from the game later revealed that Foss was the recipient of a punch thrown by Arthaniel Davis, who was a Cairo assistant coach at the time. Video also showed Davis pushing a Massac County player.

Davis was the only person who faced criminal charges from the riot. On Tuesday he pleaded guilty in Massac County Circuit Court to two charges of battery. Newschannel 6 asked Davis if he felt like he was singled out.

"Hopefully I can now move on with the rest of my life. I can't worry about the rest of the people," Davis said. "I just have to worry about myself and take care of myself."

Massac County State's Attorney Patrick Windhorse said Davis was the only one prosecuted because he was a coach and should have helped the problem instead of adding to it.

Davis was sentenced to 18 months probation and received a $500 fine.

Foss says he's not concerned with the punishment. He wants to move on, and he now hopes that night will be remembered as a great victory for the Massac County basketball team.