Nevada president apologizes for attack on UNLV coach

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

RENO, Nev. -- The University of Nevada's president apologized to UNLV coach John Robinson after a fan was arrested for allegedly throwing an object that hit Robinson in the head at halftime.

Robinson was not seriously injured and returned after intermission to help coach the Rebels (4-1) to their fourth-straight win over Nevada, 16-12 Saturday night.

Robinson told reporters he thought he was hit in the head by a plastic water bottle as the team left the field on the way to the locker room. But campus police said they had conflicting reports from witnesses.

"We found a plastic beer bottle but other witnesses said it was a beer can. We found both in the immediate area and took them into evidence and will probably take fingerprints," said Adam Garcia, director of University Police Services.

Nevada President John Lilley said he apologized to UNLV President Carol Harter during the second half.

"This is an unfortunate act that mars an otherwise great night of competition on the field," Lilley said in a statement released by the school.

"We do not tolerate this kind of criminal behavior. ... We offer our sincere apologies to Coach Robinson."

Kevan Old, 31, was booked into the Washoe County jail Saturday night on a charge of battery, campus police said. He released after posting bail.

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe