EAST LANSING -- "We're disappointed as Spartans; we're disappointed as members of a family, of a community."

Michigan State University spokesman Terry Denbow isn't alone in that sentiment.

"Yeah, I'm disappointed that this has come about," said former Spartans coach George Perles, now a trustee on the university's board.

They're disappointed by the fight that erupted here Nov. 22, at Rather Hall -- all caught on security cameras.

And disappointed that those cameras helped identify at least eight MSU football players involved in the altercation.

"It's tough on the other teammates, and it's tough on the ones that are dismissed from the team," Perles said.

News 10 has submitted to the university a Freedom of Information Act request for the video taken from those surveillance cameras. That request has yet to be answered, but what we do know is this: The Rather Hall incident was an assault, involving multiple people.

"There were several individuals that were involved in the altercation," MSU Police Sgt. Florene Taylor confirmed Wednesday.

Of the eight footballers included in those several, at least four are impact players, including receivers B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell. How will that impact the Spartans' upcoming bowl game?

"It's going to be a distraction," Perles said. "It's going to be a problem, and it'll put us in a position where we'll probably be the underdog."

But the former coach says he's certain now-head coach Mark Dantonio will find the talent to replace those lost.

He and Denbow also emphasized this investigation's not over. There's still hope some or all of those suspended will be vindicated.

"Absolutely," Denbow said. "A suspension is not a dismissal. A suspension, in this case, is dependent on the findings of the investigation."

MSU Police say that investigation will wrap up early next week, at which point the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office will decide on filing charges.