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More KAPsi San Diego State hazing info
Harvey accused of hitting student in frat hazing act
By Brent Schrotenboer
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 28, 2004
Suspended San Diego State football center Jasper Harvey punched a fraternity pledge during a hazing incident last fall, apparently cracking the man's rib, according to a San Diego Sheriff's Department report.
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Harvey vehemently denies the accusation and said it is a scheme to get money from him and smear his name. The alleged victim, Troy Patrick Owens Jr., was injured when he was punched once by Harvey and again by another fraternity associate in a hazing incident last October, according to the police report. The fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, has since been suspended by SDSU for three years after a campus investigation.
Harvey, a junior from Marrero, La., was suspended for the year by the school before the season. The school declined to give reasons for his suspension. But he was involved in two controversial incidents the previous year: the hazing incident and an incident in a political science class in the spring.
When contacted last month, the professor of the class, Farid Abdel-Nour, declined to talk about Harvey or reveal the specifics of the case, citing student privacy issues.
"I don't know anything about the case except the part that involves me," Abdel-Nour said. "At no point in the case did I get the sense of a cover-up. I got the sense that a fair and full investigation was conducted. That much I can say – the part that involves me. I don't know about any other part. I am satisfied with the way my part was handled."
Harvey said both cases are a matter of "being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"I'm 6-3, 300 pounds, and I bench-press 410 pounds," said Harvey, who started 22 games in his first two years at SDSU. "If I was to hit this guy, I'd do more damage than just breaking his ribs. ._._. He's just trying to get money. He was never hurt."
The San Diego District Attorney did not file a case against Harvey or Kappa Alpha Psi pledge coordinator Antonio Jones, the other man accused of punching Owens, and so far no civil claim has been filed.
"They agreed to settle, and they haven't paid the money," said Owens' attorney, Richard Williams. "We anxiously look forward to proving it in court. I've got fractured rib X-rays. A lawsuit will be filed by the end of the week."
Williams declined to reveal the settlement amount he has sought.
The San Diego Union-Tribune initiated contact with Williams and Owens after verifying that a record of the incident was filed with the San Diego Sheriff's Department.
Owens was treated at Kaiser Permanente for his alleged injuries and released, according to the police report.
The alleged incident took place in Imperial Beach on Oct. 5. According to Owens' statement to police, Owens and the other pledges were told to ask Harvey why he allowed two sacks the previous day in a 44-36 loss against Brigham Young. When asked by Owens, "Harvey became angry and punched him once in the chest," the statement said.
Williams said he's seeking compensation from Harvey and Jones.
"But the reason he hasn't served me papers yet is because if we go to court, he's going to lose," Harvey said.
Owens said he wasn't told why no criminal charges were filed against Harvey or Jones. The San Diego District Attorney's office has no record of the matter. After conducting its own investigation, San Diego State suspended the fraternity and issued a "zero-tolerance" statement against hazing. Jones could not be reached for comment.
Harvey is currently enrolled at Grossmont College as part of his effort to rejoin SDSU next year. He's generally considered by teammates and coaches to be a well-liked, well-spoken student who works with troubled and underprivileged youths at a group home five days a week.
Aztecs football coach Tom Craft said he could not comment on the specifics of the case.
"This isn't the type of thing we would tolerate, but I'm not commenting on the incident in particular," he said. "We have been running a real good program here and will continue to run a program with integrity."
Asked whether Harvey would be welcomed back to the team next year, Craft said, "That's a long time from now. That's speculating into the future. It is what it is. We're concentrating on our season."
Harvey said his goal is to rejoin the Aztecs. Asked whether he thought his suspension was fair, Harvey said, "Of course a person like myself is going to say no because I'm not able to play. But the school has policies. The school has to do what's right for them. I'll sit out my time. I have a positive attitude. I'll play next year with San Diego State."
SDSU Athletic Director Mike Bohn also declined to comment on specifics, citing privacy laws.
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