A homecoming dance at Mars Hill College in The Loft got a bit out of hand.
The event on Saturday night of the Oct. 24 homecoming game was open to college students from MHC and other schools. The dance was free for MHC students, but students from other schools had to show college IDS and pay a small fee after 11 p.m. Students from ETSU, UNCA and others came out to celebrate the Lions’ 24-7 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne. Unfortunately, the party got out of hand, and Campus Security stepped in.
At about 1 a.m., while students were dancing and having a good time, Charles Chavis, a recent MHC graduate, broke out in a stepping line during another fraternity’s step show. Elbows were thrown, and people were hit.
What started out as a one-on-one skirmish grew. As the fight ensued, members of the MHC football team jumped in the midst of the brawl, trying to separate people and getting involved in the wrestling. Perhaps as many as ten or more people were involved.
Soon, it resembled a gnarly mosh pit. The dance floor was full and people crowded the stage area, so much so that even some people not involved in the fight could not leave immediately. The music stopped as the fight began, and the lights were turned on. Many in the crowd witnessed the fight.
It lasted several minutes, with people wrestling and pulling. MHC defensive line coach Chuck Phifer, who was also at the dance, tried to break up the fight, yelling and pulling people off of each other. He was able to get many of the Lion football players to begin calming down and breaking up.
One MHC football player, Troy Harris, who tried to pull people apart, got punched in the back along with some other players. No women were involved in the fight.
Campus Security came to The Loft to break-up the fight. No one was seriously injured or disciplined. The dance ended soon afterward.
No alcohol was to be permitted at the event in The Loft, located in the basement of McConnell. It was not clear whether alcohol or drugs played a factor in the incident.
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