P.J. Hill, a freshman running back on the University of Wisconsin football team, was allegedly wielding a baseball bat during an altercation Jan. 26 that resulted in his suspension from the team.
According to UW Police Department Lt. Eric Holen, Hill has been charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct while armed for brandishing a baseball bat during a 2:15 a.m. disturbance outside Sellery Hall last month.
Three other UW football players — linebackers Jonathan Casillas and Elijah Hodge, along with tight end Jaevery McFadden — were also allegedly involved in the incident, according to Holen, however the three received citations for disorderly conduct.
Hill was suspended from the team Monday for violating the UW student-athlete discipline policy following the incident.
"We are a family, and like any family, we have individuals who make mistakes along the way," UW Senior Associate Athletic Director Vince Sweeney said in a phone interview Tuesday. "Anytime mistakes are made by university student athletes, we'll look very closely at them and deal with them."
Sweeney added that Hill would have an opportunity to appeal his suspension, which will otherwise last until the case is resolved by either the legal system or a university disciplinary process.
Hill was expected to compete for the starting running back position next year, but is instead the fifth UW football player suspended from the team in recent months.
Former UW running back Booker Stanley was dismissed from the team after being charged with nine counts — one a felony second-degree sexual assault — following a Dec. 21 altercation with his girlfriend. Stanley had previously been charged with battery stemming from an incident which occurred during last year's Mifflin Street block party.
More recently, UW defensive backs Jameson Davis and Antonio Freeman were suspended from the team after the two redshirt freshmen were caught possessing marijuana. The marijuana was found when the two players were pulled over for driving over 101 mph in Jefferson County.
Additionally, sophomore wide receiver Marcus Randle El was suspended from the team after allegedly punching former teammate Nicholas Sutton in the face during an argument.
Randle El, however, was reinstated and eligible to play in the Capitol One Bowl Jan. 2 after appealing the suspension.
Despite the incidents, Sweeney said the picture for UW athletics remains "positive."
"The vast majority of our family members are working hard in the classroom and on the fields," Sweeney said. "We will deal with these missteps along the way."
And with Bret Bielema taking over the head coaching reigns from Barry Alvarez this upcoming season, Sweeney said he is sure discipline will remain high among Bielema's priorities.
"Each and every coach has their own area of emphasis," Sweeney said. "Bret takes all of this very seriously, as we do as an athletic department."
Though these incidents have brought negative publicity to the UW football team, State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said he believes the UW athletic department is handling the situation properly.
"The athletic department seems to be dealing with the situation firmly, and the way it should be dealt with," Black said, adding the department is "not sweeping [the problem] under the rug."
