Georgetown announced a one-game suspension for coach Ed Cooley after throwing a water bottle in frustration that accidentally hit a child following the Hoyas’ 80-77 Saturday loss to Xavier. Cooley will not coach tomorrow against Coppin State.
The incident happened after Georgetown’s potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer failed to connect. As the final buzzer sounded, Cooley took a water bottle he was holding and threw it towards the Georgetown bench. It flew into the stands and happened to hit a child who was sitting on his mother’s lap.
After the game, Cooley opened his postgame press conference with an apology to the family of the kid he hit with the projectile.
“First and foremost, I have to apologize to the Iwuchukwu family,” Cooley said. “Really frustrated realized I threw my water bottle, and it hit [him] and his mom. Definitely out of character to be so frustrated, but really that’s not called for. I’ll call them and make amends to that. Just totally out of character, frustration. So I apologize to the fans, our players, the university. Totally, totally out of character for me to be that way.”
The Big East released a statement showing support for Georgetown’s decision to suspend Cooley for Monday’s game.
“We have communicated with Georgetown leadership and support their decision to suspend head men’s basketball coach Ed Cooley for his actions following last night’s game against Xavier. The safety and security of spectators and participants at Big East events is of paramount importance and fundamental to the enjoyment of our games.”
This was not Cooley’s first frustrating loss to Xavier. Cooley confronted a Xavier fan last February for “verbally attacking” one of his players. As the final buzzer sounded of that game in February, Cooley walked directly towards a fan who was sitting court side and began exchanging words with him. Nothing became physical, but the Georgetown staff had to step in to separate Cooley from the fan. After that incident, the Hoyas coach said, “I will always protect my players if they are threatened.”
