Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Sports

Freshman linebacker Gordon Kickels was reinstated on Friday following an indefinite suspension, which began on Feb. 13. (File photo/The Daily Eastern News)

An Eastern football player was reinstated on Friday, said Eastern head football coach Bob Spoo.

Spoo said freshman linebacker Gordon Kickels told him the process was completed in the Office of Student Standards.

Kickels was suspended indefinitely on Feb. 13 by the team pending further investigation from the Office of Student Standards.

"Nothing transpired, and he's been reinstated," Spoo said.

Rich Moser, Eastern's sports information director, said Kickels was suspended from team activities for violation of team rules for an incident on Feb. 13.

According to information obtained on March 12 from the Charleston Police Department through a freedom of information request, the woman involved has requested police take no further action in an incident at 9:19 p.m. on Feb. 13.

According to the document, Kickels allegedly grabbed the victim, punched her in the left eye and threw her to the ground.

The document states Kickels then fled the area.

According to the document, events unfolded like this:

• Kickels was in a fight with another male at the party.

• Kickels and the other males were asked to leave.

• Kickels then came back into the house and started a fight with a different male, and that is when he grabbed the victim.

Heather Webb, director of student standards, said the office does not release information about students.

"I'm not going to share any information with you at all," Webb said.

Kickels played in 11 games this season and notched 11 tackles, including six solo tackles. Three of his tackles were for a loss.

"He's a guy that has good potential," Spoo said. "He's also a longsnapper, and we don't have one of those."


Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.

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