The University of Utah police have arrested the individual they believe to have thrown the water bottle and struck the BYU cheer coach in the head over the weekend. William Gardner, 18, will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor assault charge. He was not a University of Utah student.
The BYU cheer coach, Jocelyn Allan, was stationed in the southeast side of the end zone when the Cougars declared victory over the Utes. At the end of the game, Utah fans began throwing trash onto the field, including the water bottle which can be seen on video striking Allan in the head.
Related: BYU Cheer Coach Hit in Face With Water Bottle, Knocked Unconscious Following Football Win Over Utes
She lost consciousness but was assisted by members of the cheerleading team and received immediate medical attention. The next day, Allan made a plea on social media saying, “If you saw the incident, or have any info on the family who owns that particular box, please contact me.”
According to KUTV, court documents from Gardner’s arrest this week said he was, “in a suite in the south endzone of Rice-Eccles Stadium with his family. After BYU's win, Gardner allegedly yelled ‘F*** BYU’ and threw a disposable water bottle, which hit BYU's cheer coach in the head and caused her to collapse, police said.”
Gardner’s father was ultimately the one to turn him into the police after Saturday’s incident.
BYU president Shane Reese said, "I bleed blue, no doubt. But as we cheer for the Cougars, we must understand what it means to be a good fan — showing respect and courtesy for our opponents, especially our friends at the University of Utah."
University of Utah representatives declined to comment to news outlets regarding the incident, instead directing them to the “FanUp” newsletter. In this email sent to students before the season opener, the university reminds the Utes to promote a “respectful, safe, welcoming and family-friendly environment"
