PULLMAN – Robert Barber, a starting nose tackle and lynchpin of the Washington State football team’s defense, has been expelled from the school following a University Conduct Board investigation into a fight over the summer that left one student unconscious and another hospitalized with a fractured jaw. Barber will continue to practice while appealing the expulsion.

The office of student conduct does have a limited appeals process, in which the student has 21 days to submit an appeal in writing that contests the decision on the grounds the initial hearing was unfair, was based on insubstantial information, that the resulting sanctions were inappropriate, or if new information becomes available.

Athletic director Bill Moos confirmed that Barber will appeal, saying “I think they are in the process.”

Moos has a policy of not allowing players to participate in athletics once they have been charged with a felony. However, Barber has not been arrested or charged. In situations of student conduct discipline, Moos leaves it up to the coaches whether or not the athletes will continue participating.

“That has to be within (coach Mike Leach’s) shop. I think he was fed up with the crap on the Shalom deal, because it was the second one,” Moos said, referring to the arrest of safety Shalom Luani, who was suspended against Eastern Washington but has not been charged with a felony/Jacob Thorpe, SR. More here (subscription).

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