CMU could have a public relations nightmare on its hands.

Early Friday, redshirt freshman running back Shane Williams, from Fountain Hills, Ariz. was booked on suspicion of second degree assault, underage drinking and possession of a fake ID.

According to police, witnesses said a verbal altercation between William and Chelsea Gallagher outside The Red Room Bar turned physical and ended with Williams picking up Gallagher and slamming her to the pavement.

Gallagher sustained a black eye, head contusions, and was bleeding from the ears when police arrived.

Gallagher said she is a lesbian, and claimed in an interview with KJCT that she thinks her assault was a hate crime.

Two parts of this story are being overlooked. The lack of a solid response from CMU administrators makes the school look incredibly bad. The story broke on Friday, and is probably the most visible CMU athletics has been in the media in recent years. As of Sunday, the school has still offered no public response for what is the top story on all the TV stations, and that has 131 comments on KKCOs website alone. At a “big time university,” one would expect a faster response to the first major controversy the school has seen since university status.

A national blog called Arrest Nation has a picture of the Maverick logo next to Williams’ name in a small report on his arrest. The Maverick logo, not Williams’s mugshot. The entire program is being unjustly hurtled into the spotlight because of one player’s arrest. He is, as of Sunday, the fourth featured story on the website.

CMU football coach Russ Martin reacted perfectly to TV stations in saying the team’s thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family. This editorial board would be incredibly surprised if Williams ever suited up for the Mavericks again, and dismissal from the school is not out of the question. Regardless of whether or not Williams is convicted, he, and whoever else is involved, have sullied the name of one of the most visible and well-respected athletic programs on campus. His actions have reflected poorly on an entire roster that has acted with grace and class for many years. Anything less than an immediate dismissal is unacceptable. No one should be representing the school in such a high-profile capacity that is even suspected of a crime of this nature.

A more fully fleshed out response from the University and quick action from the football program can save the school from even more of a PR nightmare. Big controversy and a bigger school require more concise and speedy action, or else it could easily spin into something the school can’t control.