Editor’s note: This story contains images that might be disturbing to some
The attorney for Timmy Reed, a University of Idaho student, said Reed was punched by an alleged football player during a Feb. 10 incident at “his home in Moscow near the university campus.” Reed sustained a fractured nose, a black eye and was knocked unconscious.
Tim Gresback, representing Reed, held a press conference today to read a statement about the Feb. 10 incident. Gresback said that Timmy, a senior civil engineering student and member of Beta Theta Pi, was “a victim of a violent crime.”
Gresback said that Reed and his two housemates, members of Beta Thea Pi, planned to host a social event at their “triplex” that night. A group of more than 40 “uninvited and unannounced” people showed up around 10:30 p.m. Some of the people, whom Gresback and Reed believe were football players, some of whom wore face masks or carried PVC pipes. Reed was allegedly sucker punched and then hit the asphalt and fell unconscious.
Reed is a fifth generation Vandal. His father, Nick Reed has donated thousands of dollars for Vandal football scholarships, according to Gresback. He is also Vice President of the West Treasure Valley Boosters. Reed pulled his funding for the upcoming Summer Fest, an annual UI fundraising event. The event has been cancelled as a direct result of this, event organizers told the Lewiston Tribune.
Gresback is calling for a response from UI and from the Moscow Police Department.
“Timmy has fully cooperated with the University’s investigations, and has voluntarily appeared for a police interview,” Gresback said in the statement. “He has nothing to hide. The Reed family does not want this crime to be swept under the rug. But I almost feel like I can hear the broom.”
Gresback said that he “demands” that UI responds “substantively by Friday, May 3, “so students can enter finals week knowing that President Green cares about their safety.
Anthony Dahlinger, the public information officer for the Moscow Police Department, said that the investigation is “close to wrapping up” and should be done “relatively soon.”
Dahlinger said there is still one search warrant still to be served. Dahlinger confirmed that the MPD responded to a call on Feb. 10 about the incident, but no arrests were made. He also said that no charges have been filed.
Gresback said that the group that showed up at the Feb. 10 incident were there for retaliation.
“It is not altogether clear what induced this large crowd to suddenly show up. It may have been for some twisted notion of revenge: a week earlier, at a different location, a member of Timmy’s fraternity had a tussle with a football player,” Gresback said.
Dahlinger confirmed that the MPD is aware of the earlier “potential incident” and “investigators are looking into it.”
Jodi Walker, UI’s Executive Director of Communication, released a statement on the incident and subsequent investigation:
“The university is aware of an off-campus, after-hours incident at a private residence on Feb. 10 that was reportedly violent in nature. We are disappointed violence seems to have been chosen and our thoughts go out to Tim Reed and his family. This would fall into a criminal realm and the jurisdiction of the Moscow Police Department. Students believed to have been involved have been contacted and asked to participate in a university investigation, related to potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct or any other policy violations. The university cannot force students to participate, but encourages anyone with information to contact the Office of Civil Rights and Investigations. We will continue to look into this incident and the information provided by those participating in the investigation. Any time the safety of any of our students comes into question, we are deeply concerned and work to understand the facts and take action accordingly. We have faith in the Moscow Police Department to follow their processes of investigation.”
Gresback said the incident is a reflection of the football program and its culture.
“Unless there is individual—and institutional—accountability, coupled with a new infusion, a new type, of football and athletic leadership, we fear it is only a matter of time before this type of rogue behavior happens again,” Gresback said.
Gresback questioned university leadership, including President Scott Green, Dean of Students Blaine Eckles, Athletic Director Terry Gawlik and football Head Coach Jason Eck.
“What does head football coach Jason Eck tolerate? What is athletic director Terry Gawlik doing to assure the community that this doesn’t happen again?” Gresback asked.
Gawlik declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation.
Eck said he was disappointed the incidents occurred.
“As of now, we are waiting on the university investigation and the Moscow police investigation to conclude. No one has been charged with anything at this time, and I do not expect further incidents. I am hoping for a resolution soon,” Eck said in an email to the Argonaut.
Joanna Hayes can be reached at [email protected]
Fred Beverage
In 1984, Graham Hall was having a little get together when a couple of rather large football players showed up. I was on the door and when I refused entry one of them punched me right in the mouth. Needed to see a dentist over it. The football program quietly picked up the bill.