Carlos Phillips, father of Andru Phillips, with coach Mark Stoops (Twitter Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has continued to stand by his six football players facing charges over an incident at a fraternity house in March. All six were initially cleared by the University of Kentucky for any violations but were recently charged by Lexington Police. Some media reports from fraternity members at the party have accused at least one player of having a gun and others of fighting and hitting guests, including females.
On Kentucky Sports Radio Tuesday had Denny Butler, a former Louisville Metro sergeant, on air to share results of his investigation into the charges since he was asked by a UK coach to help the players. He said Vito Tisdale passed a lie detector test denying he had a gun with him and noted that originally 12 players were picked out as attending the party. He also said one player stayed in the car, never entered the frat house but was charged along with five teammates.
Carlos Phillips is a former UK football player and the father of UK sophomore Andru Phillips. His son is the one facing charges.
Carlos Phillips shared a “personal and confidential” letter sent by University of Kentucky Office of Student Conduct assistant director Libby Hogan to Andru Phillips on April 23 clearing him of any wrongdoing two days after he met to discuss his “alleged” violation of University Housing Community Standards on March 8.
The decision was that Andru Phillips was “not responsible” for any harm or threat of harm.
Here was the rationale UK officials had for making that decision:
“The incident report states that a physical fight occurred at an off-campus house affiliated with a fraternity. Through an investigation, Phillips was identified as participating in the altercation. Phillips stated that he was at the house where the altercation happened but arrived as it was ending.”
“Phillips reports that he only went a few feet into the house to check on everyone before stepping back outside and leaving. Phillips stated that he did not hit anyone and that he was not hit by anyone.”
“Witnesses confirm that Phillips was present at the gathering and that he entered the house. The witnesses also confirm that Phillips did not have a weapon and that they didn’t see him engaged in fighting. As a result, AD Hogan found Phillips not responsible.”
“No further action is required on your part.”
By then Phillips — along with five other teammates — had missed all of spring practice. Now he has missed valuable preseason time and there’s little doubt he would have been on the two-deep depth chart in the secondary for Saturday’s opening game.
This letter is the most complete official documentation I have seen about anything that happened that night and based on what witnesses told Hogan, I certainly understand why Stoops has to believe Phillips should be back on the field and hopefully soon we will see more information on the other five and why UK cleared them of any wrongdoing just like it did Phillips.
