The Ithaca College football team has suspended its four senior captains and three additional players from Saturday’s game for violating team rules.
Head Coach Mike Welch said the following players have been suspended: David Ahonen, graduate student captain and strong safety; Daniel Higgins, senior captain and tight end; Daniel Ruffrage, senior captain and wide receiver; Tom Vossler, senior captain and wide receiver; Spence White, junior corner back; Jason Hendel, sophomore quarterback; and Kevin Cline, junior strong safety.
Welch declined to comment on what rule the players violated and if any other players were involved, citing the “privacy of the student athlete.”
Dave Maley, associate director of media relations, said the players violated team and athletic department rules. He said he could not comment on whether the college has or will take disciplinary action against any of the players because “the college can’t comment on individuals who may have been referred to the campus judicial system.”
Maley also said he could not comment on the nature of the suspension rule violation, and Brian McAree, vice president of student affairs and campus life, said he could not provide additional information.
Vossler and White both reiterated that they were suspended for violating team rules but would not comment further.
“It’s a team matter,” Vossler said.
Welch said information is not being withheld.
“We’re not covering anything up,” he said. “We’ve handled this within our football team.”
Welch said the captains’ suspension will not affect their captaincy.
The players will only be excluded from Saturday’s game against St. Lawrence University, Welch said.
Senior Nathan March, play-by-play broadcaster for WICB radio, said it would likely be a low-scoring game. March said the Bombers still have a good chance to win.
“If you put a gun to my head I would still say they win this game,” he said. “With St. Lawrence, a team that … only got into the opposing red zone 18 times all last season, you have to believe the Bombers still should be strong enough to come away with a win at home.”
