Canisius suspends two players

Ashton Khan and David Santiago have been suspended indefinitely from Canisius in connection with an on campus theft, The Buffalo News has learned.

The school has not officially released the names of the suspendedplayers pending further investigation from school officials. According to a source, the investigation should be completed by next week.

"The student-athletes are cooperating with the campus inquiry,and the College is reviewing the incident in accordance with our Community Standards," Canisius athletics director Bill Maher said in a statement. "We are disappointed in their decision and at this time, they have been suspended from the program. Their status will be reevaluated at the conclusion of the campus process."

The Griffin, the school's student newspaper, reported that apolice report was filed on Feb. 21 citing that two iPods and cashwere taken from a freshman dorm room in Frisch Hall. Canisius coachTom Parrotta told The Griffin he visited that dorm room Wednesdaynight to discuss the matter with the students whose items werestolen, which are valued around $500.

"I apologized on behalf of the program," Parrotta told theGriffin. "It was a very good meeting. It was important for them toknow that me, as head of this program, for what it's worth, weapologize."

When contacted by The News, Parrotta said, "I'm certainly disappointed with the actions of a couple of our guys and we're going to deal with it accordingly. We're going to deal with it very quickly and put it behind us."

Days after the theft, a source told The News that Khan attemptedto register the iPod to the campus Internet system which made it traceable. The items have since been returned, according to a source.

Khan played in 15 games as a freshman. In 58 total minutes, he averaged 1.0 points. Santiago sat out last season after transferring from American University in Puerto Rico. He averaged 14 points, five rebounds and two assists during the 2009-10 season at American and has three years of eligibility remaining.

e-mail: rmckissic@buffnews.com