ATLANTA — What should have been remembered as a strong conference win quickly shifted into a larger conversation about security, sportsmanship and accountability across HBCU athletics.
Following Morehouse’s 77–69 victory over Tuskegee University on Saturday, an unexpected postgame scene at Forbes Arena sparked widespread reaction. A video circulating online showed campus security placing Tuskegee men’s basketball head coach Benjy Taylor in handcuffs during the traditional postgame handshake line.
On Monday afternoon, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced disciplinary action against Morehouse College for failing to fully comply with SIAC Policy 1.9, which outlines host institutions’ responsibilities for crowd control and ensuring the safe entry and exit of visiting teams and participants. The conference determined that game management protocols, particularly those related to postgame crowd control, were not properly upheld.
“The SIAC holds its member institutions to the highest standards,” SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman said in a statement. “Our historic institutions are expected to provide competitive environments that prioritize the safety, dignity and mutual respect of student-athletes, coaches, officials and fans.”
The incident occurred after the final buzzer as Tuskegee players and staff participated in the handshake line. According to Tuskegee’s athletic department, the situation escalated when members of Morehouse’s football team walked onto the court and interfered with the postgame proceedings, creating what officials described as a security breach.
Taylor said his actions were motivated by concern for the safety of his players, staff and family members who were present.
“I was simply trying to get the football team out of the handshake line as they were yelling obscenities,” Taylor told The Field of 68. “It was a very dangerous situation. For my players and my family to see me treated that way was devastating.”
Taylor was handcuffed on the court but was not arrested or charged with a crime. He later retained civil rights attorney Harry Daniels, and his legal team is exploring possible civil action, alleging that he was needlessly humiliated during the encounter.
The SIAC has not disclosed the amount of the fine issued to Morehouse College. As of Monday afternoon, the college had not publicly commented on the conference’s ruling.
