Athletes referred to Choices Program

On Oct. 11, UCCS Cross Country runner Matt Cahalan and Women's Soccer player Kayla Millar were suspected of a liquor violation and referred to the Choices Program upon investigation.

At 1:34 a.m. a resident assistant issued a call to Public Safety Officer Martin Toetz, who responded to Telluride House on a suspected liquor violation, according to Chief of Police Jim Spice. The UCCS Police blotter reports that Cahalan and Millar were found with Arthur Plonski, Thomas Vage and Amy Littlefield, all of whom who are under the Colorado legal drinking age of 21. Public Safety called medical transport, but the students involved refused.

Upon further investigation, Sports Information Director Doug Fitzgerald reported that Millar received no citation. However, Public Safety has referred all members involved to the Choices Program.

The Choices Program as described by Spice is an alcohol awareness/education program to mitigate future occurrences of underage drinking.

Cahalan was also referred the Choices Program.

Since both Cahalan and Millar are UCCS athletes, implications of and punishments resulting from the incident largely depend on team rules. Fitzgerald disclosed that "each coach has his/her own set of team rules. Any student-athlete that is in violation of these team rules will be disciplined in accordance with the guidelines set forth by those rules."

"Team rules are always as stringent, and in most cases more so."

Both Cahalan and Millar are present members of each prospective team's online roster at www.gomountainlions.com.