PROVO — Eight University of Utah baseball players are under investigation for allegedly defacing the "Y" on the mountain above Brigham Young University.
The case is being reviewed by the Utah County Attorney's Office because the Y is on county property. If charged and convicted, the eight players could be fined up to $2,000 in damages.
BYU officials noticed the vandalism early May 1. Four or five red U's were painted on the large, white landmark, but the BYU grounds crew was able to paint over the vandalism by 11:30 that morning, said Roy Peterman, BYU grounds director.
BYU police said they received a tip on May 10 from a Fred Meyer in Salt Lake City that an employee developed photos of people painting the landmark.
BYU police arrested Ryan Breska, 23, a University of Utah baseball pitcher, when Breska came to the store to pick up the photos, said BYU Police Capt. Michael Harroun. Breska was arrested for investigation of criminal mischief. He has not been charged in court.
Police suspect the Utah players defaced the Y because of the school's rivalry with BYU.
The schools played baseball games on April 30 and May 1.
Other people identified in the photos are also members of the baseball team, police said. Breska and the seven other baseball players under investigation were suspended for one game last Wednesday against Utah Valley State College.
No further actions will be taken until the investigation is completed, said Hope Wagner, assistant sports information director at the U. However, it is likely that the athletes will not be suspended for any additional games since the season will end in about two weeks.
Breska graduated from the U. on May 7. The U. did not release the names of the seven other baseball players or whether the players had graduated as well.
Harroun, who has worked for the BYU police for 34 years, said the Y has been defaced at least once a year. It is uncommon, however, for people to get caught.
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