Former Oregon defensive tackle Junior Siavii was arrested for assault early Friday morning after he allegedly struck a woman at a Eugene bar.
Eugene Police spokeswoman Pam Olshanski said officers responded to a complaint at Taylor’s Bar & Grille at 894 E. 13th Ave. at about 1 a.m. and found the woman with redness and bruising around her eye.
Olshanski said Siavii was at the bar with about 10 Oregon football players and was not cooperative with the officers at the scene. Olshanski said the woman allegedly spilled alcohol on Siavii, although officers found no indication of alcohol on the former Duck.
Siavii, 24, was freed from Lane County Jail on $255 bail.
Oregon spokesman David Williford said it is hard to comment on the incident until the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics learns the particulars.
“It is certainly unfortunate; however, something occurred and it is certainly not condoned,” Williford said. “It is difficult to impose sanctions on someone who is no longer on the team.”
The woman who filed the complaint, Jennifer Hegstrom, could not be reached for comment. Williford said Siavii was on his way to Hawaii and was unavailable for comment. Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti was on a recruiting trip and unavailable for comment, as well.
Bellotti told the Emerald in early November, when asked what he expects of his athletes, that “they are perfect gentlemen and they recognize their responsibility as student-athletes.”
Bellotti said student-athletes are trained on proper conduct, which includes discussions with lawyers, judges and police officers.
“I think we have very positive peer pressure on them to do things right and live up to the responsibility,” he said at the time.
The altercation is the second such incident involving an Oregon football player at Taylor’s in the past year.
On May 11, 2003, according to a police report, then-Oregon free safety Keith Lewis punched track athlete Brandon Holliday after a brief verbal altercation.