The Sto-Rox School District has banned two adult fans, Darren DiMichele and Christopher Stys, from all athletic events for one year.

John Beale, Post-Gazette Darren DiMichele pleaded guilty yesterday to disorderly conduct for his part in a Dec. 16 brawl at a Sto-Rox boys' basketball game.

School Superintendent Fran Serenka confirmed the penalty yesterday after Mr. DiMichele, 39, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct for his part in an ugly, gym-clearing confrontation at a Dec. 16 boys' basketball game.

Mr. Stys, 43, pleaded guilty last month to the same charge, also for the basketball fracas.

When Mr. DiMichele first appeared in court, he said he was "innocent" and would contest the allegation against him. But he reversed himself a few minutes later and pleaded guilty.

"I appreciate that you've accepted responsibility," District Judge Mary Ann Cercone told him. "I trust that it won't happen again. This caused, let's just say, a black eye for the community."

Police ejected both men in the fourth quarter of a game between Sto-Rox and Quaker Valley after they loudly argued with another fan in the bleachers.

Ms. Serenka said the school security chief was escorting Mr. DiMichele out of the gym when Mr. Stys re-entered the building in defiance of the police order.

Fearing that more angry words might lead to violence, police forced all 300 spectators to evacuate the gym. Officers then used pepper spray on stragglers who congregated in the lobby.

When the crowd was gone, the game continued. Quaker Valley won, 69-51.

Ms. Serenka said Mr. DiMichele and Mr. Stys were guilty of "unsportsmanlike fan conduct, which created an unsafe environment for students and players."

Although she signed the district order banning them from games, she defended both men.

"Our fans were not the people who began the arguing," she said.

She stopped short of saying the instigator was from Quaker Valley. Instead, she described the person who supposedly provoked Mr. DiMichele and Mr. Stys as "someone who was not one of our fans."

Ms. Serenka conceded, though, that all the witnesses she spoke to were Sto-Rox boosters. Her administration did not interview anyone from Quaker Valley.

Sto-Rox school board members declined to discuss the case, saying they had designated Ms. Serenka as the sole spokeswoman for the district.

Mr. DiMichele and Mr. Stys pleaded guilty to summary offenses, lesser charges than misdemeanors. Judge Cercone fined each man $200. In addition, Mr. DiMichele must pay $131 in court costs and Mr. Stys $125.