Georgetown suspends Ed Cooley for hitting a child with a water bottle

Jeff Hauser

Georgetown suspends Ed Cooley for hitting a child with a water bottle image

Georgetown Hoyas suspended head coach Ed Cooley for Monday night’s game against Coppin State after throwing a water bottle into the stands following Saturday’s loss to Xavier. 

The punishment stems from an incident at the conclusion of Georgetown’s 80-77 loss. Cooley reacted to a missed game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer by throwing his bottle and inadvertently struck a child in the chest area. Hoyas assistant coach Jeff Battle will serve as interim head coach during Cooley’s one-game suspension.

Cooley issued a public apology Sunday, calling his actions unacceptable and expressing remorse to the family, whom he said he has known for years. 

Georgetown athletic director Lee Reed said the incident did not align with the standards or values of the university or its athletic department. The Big East Conference also released a statement supporting Georgetown’s decision based on spectator safety at league events.

Georgetown fell to 8-4 overall and 1-1 in Big East play with the loss. The Hoyas shot 40% from the field and struggled at the free-throw line, converting 25 of 43 attempts. Monday’s game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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