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GREENVILLE, N.C. The State Bureau of Investigation will look into reports that some police officers used excessive force on fans who rushed the football field after East Carolina's upset against West Virginia last weekend, school officials said Friday.
The university received complaints, and video showed fans being knocked down by some officers. Campus police were able to identify police officers and sheriff's deputies in the video clips, and decided to turn over their investigation to the state, said university Police Chief Scott Shelton.
The Pirates defeated then-No.8 West Virginia 24-3 last Saturday, and the win propelled East Carolina to No.14 nationally – their first appearance in the Top 25 since 1999.
Shelton has not publicly identified the officers in the video, citing personnel laws and regulations.
University police worked the game along with police from Greenville, Winterville and Kinston, and sheriff's deputies from Pitt and Lenoir counties. Shelton said in a news release the school will use only agencies in Pitt County, home to the university, for the rest of the season.
Separately, East Carolina is being fined $10,000 by Conference USA because fans ran onto the field.
The conference said Friday the school violated a policy that prohibits public access to competition areas until the visiting team and officials are in the locker rooms.
Elsewhere
SOUTH CAROLINA: The five players involved in a campus altercation have decided not press charges. School spokesman Russ McKinney said police have not made any arrests.
Police responded to a fight Thursday afternoon at the Russell House, a student union area in the center of campus. A campus police report said the victims were defensive back Akeem Auguste, receiver C.C. Whitlock, offensive lineman Terrence Campbell, and linebackers Antonio Allen and Melvin Ingram. McKinney said he didn't expect the players to face charges. Coach Steve Spurrier said he would let police and administrators handle the case.
WEST VIRGINIA: Coach Bill Stewart has signed a six-year contract that will pay him $800,000 this year with an annual increase of $50,000. Athletics Director Ed Pastilong said Stewart's base salary is $150,000, and he will earn $550,000 in supplemental income for promotional purposes.
Stewart was picked to succeed Rich Rodriguez on Jan.3, after leading the Mountaineers to a 48-28 win against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
