SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UCSB athletic department announced it has removed senior defender Peter McGlynn from the men's soccer team in response to an incident following the Gauchos 2-1 overtime loss to UC Davis on Sunday.
According to reports, McGlynn shoved a referee to the ground immediately following the game winning goal by the Aggies. McGlynn was placed in handcuffs and removed from Harder Stadium by campus police.
In addition to McGlynn's removal, UCSB also announced today head coach Tim Vom Steeg will be suspended for the team's next game on Wednesday at Sacramento State and the program will remove itself from consideration for postseason play. Vom Steeg will be eligible to coach on Saturday when the Gauchos face arch rival Cal Poly in Alex G. Spanos Stadium. For more information, please see story below.
Story provided by UCSB Athletics Communications
Given the seriousness of the incident that occurred following the conclusion of UC Santa Barbara's men's soccer match on Sunday, the student-athlete involved has been removed from the team, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mark W. Massari announced Monday. Massari also stated that, regardless of the outcome of Wednesday's game at Sacramento State or Saturday's game at Cal Poly, UCSB will forego any opportunity for postseason play this season. Finally, as head coach, Tim Vom Steeg has been suspended for the game at Sacramento. Assistant coach Greg Wilson will serve as acting head coach.
UCSB athletics administration collaborated with Big West Conference on these actions.
"I hold everyone in our program responsible for representing the University in a positive manner at all times, top-to-bottom," Massari said.
"The Big West Conference regards the sportsmanship of our coaches and student-athletes and the safety of our game officials as the highest of priorities. As such, I fully support the UCSB administration's proactive response to Sunday's unfortunate incident," said Big West Conference Commissioner Dennis Farrell.
By not advancing the postseason, the Gauchos' streak of 10-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances will end. The 10 appearances included a 2006 National Championship and an appearance in the 2004 College Cup final. In the stands, UCSB has led the nation in attendance each of the last five years and is expected to do so again this season.
