Norwich University is facing public backlash after the captain of its football team was allowed to play while facing charges of assault and burglary. Owen McKenna, 21, suited up for the school's annual "Little Army-Navy Game" Saturday despite pleading not guilty to a felony count of burglary and two misdemeanor counts of simple assault just nine days beforehand. McKenna was one of four current or former Norwich football players arrested after allegedly assaulting multiple people in a campus dormitory over claims of a $5 debt on Sept. 8. Ryan Shea, 21, Connor Shea, 20, and Michael Curran, 22, also pleaded not guilty to charges of burglary and assault of varying degrees. All, including McKenna, were released on conditions and currently face between 25 and 40 years in prison. Officials with Norwich University are refusing to discuss specific details surrounding the case, but released a statement on Sept. 13 promising cooperation with authorities. "Norwich University is cooperating with Northfield Police Department in its investigation of a reported incident among students," the release read. "Any misconduct reported to the university is investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of university policy and the law, where applicable."Of the four charged, McKenna, Ryan Shea and Connor Shea are still enrolled at Norwich University, though the Office of Communications told NBC5 Wednesday that none are currently on the football team's roster. Curran is currently not enrolled as a student.The details of the students' charges were first reported by the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus. Tune in to NBC5 News at Ten for additional coverage.

Norwich University is facing public backlash after the captain of its football team was allowed to play while facing charges of assault and burglary.

Owen McKenna, 21, suited up for the school's annual "Little Army-Navy Game" Saturday despite pleading not guilty to a felony count of burglary and two misdemeanor counts of simple assault just nine days beforehand.


McKenna was one of four current or former Norwich football players arrested after allegedly assaulting multiple people in a campus dormitory over claims of a $5 debt on Sept. 8.

Ryan Shea, 21, Connor Shea, 20, and Michael Curran, 22, also pleaded not guilty to charges of burglary and assault of varying degrees. All, including McKenna, were released on conditions and currently face between 25 and 40 years in prison.



Officials with Norwich University are refusing to discuss specific details surrounding the case, but released a statement on Sept. 13 promising cooperation with authorities.

"Norwich University is cooperating with Northfield Police Department in its investigation of a reported incident among students," the release read. "Any misconduct reported to the university is investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of university policy and the law, where applicable."

Of the four charged, McKenna, Ryan Shea and Connor Shea are still enrolled at Norwich University, though the Office of Communications told NBC5 Wednesday that none are currently on the football team's roster. Curran is currently not enrolled as a student.

The details of the students' charges were first reported by the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus.

Tune in to NBC5 News at Ten for additional coverage.