iStockphoto / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect / BSPollard
image of the Ohio State University SAE frat house next to a sign of The Ohio State University entrance
The Ohio State University chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) is being investigated and has been placed on temporary suspension after a ‘disturbing’ video appeared over the weekend. In the clip, two individuals at what appears to be a tailgate party were set on fire and wrestling.
The incident filmed took place Saturday on the 1900 Indianola Avenue in Columbus, the street where the bulk of the fraternities are located at Ohio State University.
Ohio State SAE Frat Temporarily Suspended After Video Of Two Individuals On Fire
On Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes hosted the Oregon Ducks, a matchup of two top-25 teams, and it marked OSU’s biggest home game yet this season as Ohio State previously faced ranked Texas, Iowa, Indiana, and USC all on the road. In the end, the Buckeyes lost 41-28 at home to Oregon but the video was filmed in daylight prior to the game.
A spokesperson for Ohio State, Ben Johnson, released a statement about the incident stating “the university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving needed medical care. Ohio State has placed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension pending a full investigation. The university has made referrals to university police and Columbus police, and city law enforcement is investigating.”
SAE‘s national chapter also released as statement following the Ohio State incident stating “Sigma Alpha Epsilon holds its collegiate members to high standards of conduct and accountability, Behavior that violates these standards has no place in our organization. We are committed to holding those responsible accountable and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation.”
The clip includes powerful language and brief (rear) nudity as one of the individuals who was on fire sheds his clothing after struggling to extinguish the flames. Due to the nature of the video, censored versions suitable for the news (below) are being distributed among news networks. However the full clip can be seen at the link below the news segment.
To see the full unedited clip you can find it here on X.
There are evidently quite a few witnesses. Dozens of bystanders can be seen observing the two individuals on fire and trying to extinguish the flames. This will presumably aid in the University’s investigation into the incident.
Over on Reddit’s r/frat community, the top comment with the most ‘upvotes’ questioned what they perceive to be a pattern of behavior. That individual commented “Why is it always SAE? I’ve genuinely never heard of w good chapter of SAE.”
Speaking with NBC4i, one Ohio State student addressed the incident directly, telling the news organization that it was a “bad situation, bad look for the campus, bad look for the fraternities in general.” Lucas Cloran continued, stating “it’s definitely a bigger deal than they were making it. It’s going to make these kids’ lives, be on these kids’ bodies for their entire life, maybe some mental trauma. I don’t think they took it serious enough.”
Just a few weeks ago across the country, a fraternity in Arizona was suspended for a hazing incident where members were allegedly forced to chug alcohol and swallow live goldfish. While there is no indication this Ohio State SAE incident was hazing-related, the university is still investigating and more will be learned in the days ahead.