PROVO -- Danny Bower says he was simply trying to preserve the quiet, respectful atmosphere on the Brigham Young University campus when he confronted a group he believed was acting inappropriately.
The former BYU basketball player's decision to verbally reprimand the four young men and a juvenile resulted in his being assaulted.Bower suffered a concussion, a broken nose, a black eye and abrasions to the head and face when he was knocked down and then struck and kicked repeatedly, according to BYU Police Lt. Greg Barber.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but Barber said charges could be filed against the suspects, who range in age from 17 to 20 and reside in the Provo-Orem area. They are not BYU students nor are they affiliated with the university, Barber said.
Bower, 25, who finished up his eligibility with the Cougar basketball team last spring, says he observed the youths engaged in "rough housing" and using foul language near the south entrance of the Richards Building at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Bower has been working with youths who are attending BYU sports camps, and he thought they were camp participants, though he had never seen them before, he said.
"They were being loud and not behaving like they should, and I told them not to act that way at BYU," he told the Deseret News. Soon, a verbal altercation ensued.
"I turned to walk away, and one hit me and I fell down. I was totally surprised that they hit me."
Bower lost consciousness, and witnesses say four of the youths held him down while another began kicking and hitting him. Eventually Bower regained consciousness and entered the Richards Building. Campus police responded to the scene.
The suspects, who were questioned by police, said they were defending themselves. BYU police decided not to make any arrests, but the incident remains under investigation.
"It's very unusual for something like this to happen on campus," Barber said. "It's definitely not the norm here. We're deeply concerned about the incident."
Bower was taken to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for injuries and later released. He has scheduled an appointment Monday with a plastic surgeon and might undergo surgery. "I'm doing OK," he said of his condition. "My head is pretty swollen."
Bower added that he doesn't regret getting involved in the situation.
"I regret the way it turned out, but I feel we have to stand up for the integrity of the school," he said. "I just hope no matter what that some sort of positive lesson can come out of this negative experience."
Last season, Bower, a Nampa, Idaho, native, averaged six minutes and two points per game in 20 appearances with the Cougars. He played two seasons at BYU.