Morehouse College has been fined by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) following a postgame incident that resulted in Tuskegee University men’s basketball head coach Benjy Taylor being placed in handcuffs and escorted off the court. The incident occurred after Tuskegee’s loss to Morehouse at Forbes Arena in Atlanta and quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread attention throughout the HBCU sports community. According to reporting from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the moment unfolded during the postgame handshake line.
What Happened During the Handshake Line
Video footage shows Taylor engaging with arena security after raising concerns about a group of non-participating individuals entering the handshake area. Tuskegee officials later stated that the situation created a safety concern for their players, prompting Taylor to request enforcement of standard postgame procedures. Instead, a uniformed officer placed Taylor in handcuffs and escorted him off the court. Taylor was released shortly after and was not charged with a crime. Additional details were confirmed by WSFA.
SIAC Cites Security Failures at Morehouse
Following an internal review, the SIAC announced that Morehouse failed to meet required conference standards related to security and crowd control. While the conference did not disclose the amount of the fine, it confirmed that corrective measures would be required moving forward. The SIAC emphasized that host institutions are responsible for maintaining safe environments and managing postgame procedures appropriately, especially during emotionally charged moments.
Tuskegee Supports Coach, Legal Questions Emerge
Tuskegee University publicly supported Taylor, stating that he acted within his role as head coach to protect his student-athletes. The situation escalated further when it was revealed that Taylor retained civil rights attorney Harry Daniels to explore potential legal action. Coverage from AP News and The Grio highlighted concerns surrounding the use of law enforcement in resolving postgame disputes.
Broader Impact on HBCU Athletics
The incident has reignited broader conversations about security protocols, respect for coaching authority, and the role of law enforcement at HBCU athletic events. Many within the HBCU sports community have questioned how a routine postgame disagreement escalated to a public arrest. Similar discussions have appeared in past SIAC-related controversies, which readers can explore through HBCU Buzz’s ongoing coverage of Morehouse College sports and Tuskegee University athletics.
What Comes Next
As both institutions move forward, conference officials have reiterated the importance of clear communication between coaching staffs, security teams, and game officials. While the SIAC fine addresses the immediate issue, the incident remains a focal point in ongoing discussions about accountability, safety, and professionalism within HBCU athletics. For many observers, the hope is that meaningful changes will emerge to prevent similar situations in the future.
