PROVO — While BYU defensive lineman C.J. Ah You apologized to Bret Engemann on Thursday for punching the former Cougar quarterback, Ah You's status as a student is being reviewed by the Honor Code Office.
Ah You struck Engemann in the face on Wednesday at the Smith Fieldhouse before Engemann worked out for an NFL coach and several NFL scouts. BYU coach Gary Crowton said Thursday that Ah You remains a member of the team, but he will be punished for his actions. The coach said the matter will be dealt with internally and he would not divulge what that punishment is.
Crowton held a meeting in his office Thursday with Engemann, Ah You and both players' parents to settle the situation.
"I felt really good about what happened," Crowton said of the meeting. He added that Engemann and Ah You left on positive terms and that they remain friends.
Meanwhile, the school's Honor Code Office is aware of Wednesday's incident and is reviewing the matter, said BYU spokeswoman Carri P. Jenkins. As with any Honor Code violation, the office could decide to take one of three actions against Ah You — probation, suspension or dismissal from the school.
Before enrolling at BYU, students must sign the Honor Code and promise to abide by its standards. The Honor Code addresses assault and battery issues: "Assault and battery is a violation of the Honor Code as well as a violation of the law. The Honor Code Office takes actions independent of any judicial action. Examples of serious assault and battery behavior include but are not limited to the following: Acting with intent to kill, injure, or harm another person; using physical force to coerce or to retaliate for a real or imagined offense; threatening to inflict injury upon another person; using a dangerous weapon."
Engemann said he will not press charges against his former teammate.
What sparked the incident was Ah You's discovery that Engemann had dated a woman with whom Ah You has a relationship. Engemann said 18 months ago he met the woman at a party and went on a date with her. However, it wasn't until the second date that the woman told him about her connection with Ah You. At that point, Engemann said, he stopped seeing her.
On Wednesday, Ah You (who is listed as 6-foot-4, 265 pounds) spotted Engemann (6-4, 235) inside the Smith Fieldhouse while Engemann was putting on his shoes. Ah You called Engemann's name and threw a punch, which knocked Engemann to the ground. The blow left him dazed, but he recovered well enough to throw 100 passes in front of Oakland Raiders offensive assistant Jim Harbaugh and several NFL scouts.
Moments after the incident, Crowton met with Ah You and took disciplinary action.
Ah You missed most of the 2001 season with a knee injury. Last August, he suffered another knee injury, which sidelined him for the entire 2002 campaign. A few months ago, the sophomore defensive end injured his knee yet again. He has been rehabilitating the knee and has not been participating in spring drills, which began in late February.
Engemann, who was a junior last season, started six games for BYU in 2002. He quit the team in December to pursue a professional football career.
In a statement released by the school, Ah You said, "I would like to sincerely apologize to Bret and his family for my actions on Wednesday. I would also like to apologize to everyone who witnessed my behavior, including my teammates, coaches and scouts. I did not use appropriate judgment in handling the situation. I would also like to apologize to my teammates, the coaching staff, as well as the university for my actions.
"I would hope that my actions would in no way reflect negatively upon the university or my teammates. I take full responsibility for my actions, and only wish to sincerely apologize to Bret and his family."
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