Southeast continues investigation into suspended Williams' run-in with police

The status of Calvin Williams has not changed, meaning Southeast Missouri State's junior forward remains suspended.

Southeast interim director of athletics Cindy Gannon said the university is still in the process of gathering as much information as possible regarding Williams' recent run-in with police.

Williams was suspended from all basketball-related activities Saturday following his arrest early Friday morning on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, driving without a license and driving without proper headlights.

"We still are trying to get some information as it relates to the situation," Gannon said Wednesday at Southeast's basketball media day. "As soon as we get all the information we need, we will make a statement.

"There's no timetable on it. We're just trying to be fair to everyone involved."

A Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman said Saturday that Williams initially was pulled over for driving without proper headlights.

The spokesman said Williams consented to a search of the vehicle. During the search, a bag of leafy substance, believed to be marijuana, was found. Williams also was driving without a license, police said.

Williams was taken to the Cape Girardeau Police Department and issued three citations, all misdemeanors.

Williams could face up to one year in the county jail if convicted of the Class A misdemeanor of possession of marijuana.

Gannon said Williams has continued to attend classes at Southeast while awaiting a decision from the university regarding his basketball future.

The 6-foot-9 Williams started 26 of 31 games last season after transferring from the University of Colorado.

Williams averaged 6.9 points per game, was second on the team with 5.5 rebounds per contest and led the squad with 32 blocked shots. He ranked fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference in blocks.

Media day moved

Southeast normally holds its basketball media day -- combined men's and women's -- on the Show Me Center court.

But today's Republican rally at the Show Me Center featuring Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin meant the facility was not be available Wednesday since preparations were being made for the event.

Southeast conducted media day on its auxiliary practice court at the Student Recreation Center, which is adjacent to the Show Me Center.

Exhibition opener

Southeast's men play the first of two exhibition games Saturday against NAIA Missouri Baptist from St. Louis, with a 7 p.m. tipoff at the Show Me Center.

The Redhawks' second and final exhibition tuneup will be Nov. 8, when Division III MacMurray College from Jacksonville, Ill., comes to town.

Southeast's women have just one exhibition game, Nov. 8 at home against Division III Maryville University from St. Louis.

Both teams open the season Nov. 14, the men at New Mexico and the women at home against Missouri State.