The State College Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred early Sunday morning outside a fraternity house, during which a heralded Penn State football recruit and a University student were allegedly kicked repeatedly and sprayed with Mace following a verbal confrontation.

Brad Scioli, 17, of Bridgeport and Scott O'Hara (junior-education) were treated and released for minor injuries at Centre Community Hospital after the alleged fight outside of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, 328 E. Fairmount Ave.

Scioli and O'Hara told State College police that they were looking for a party that someone told them about. Witnesses interviewed by the police said an argument erupted between some members of Alpha Sigma Phi and the two males who were punched, knocked on the ground, kicked and then sprayed in the eyes with Mace.

"What occurred Saturday night was an extremely unfortunate incident that we as a fraternity certainly do not support in any way," said Alpha Sigma Phi President Robby Miller.

Scioli, an All-State linebacker from Upper Merion High School, has made an oral commitment to attend Penn State. The 6-foot-3, 232-pounder, who also considered Notre Dame and Michigan, is one of Coach Joe Paterno's prize recruits.

"Without question," said Phil Grosz, who publishes the G&W recruiting report. "He's an excellent football player."

National letter-of-intent day -- when recruits officially sign with the school of their choice --is Feb. 2.

In a telephone interview Monday night, Scioli's father claimed he knew nothing of the incident and said his son still intended to sign with Penn State. Paterno and his assistant coaches, who were out of town recruiting, were unavailable for comment.

Athletic Director Tim Curley did not comment, citing a lack of information. Curley added that he was planning to look into the incident.

While police continue their investigation, questions still remain as to how the altercation started.

Miller said his fraternity wonders why the recruit and the student were wandering around the fraternity district "intoxicated beyond any reasonable limitation." He also asked "why the two involved were banging down our front door shouting threats and obscenities."

Two eyewitnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because of safety concerns.

But the first eyewitness said he thought Scioli and O'Hara were just walking away from the altercation. "At one point I thought it was going to end, but the Alpha Sigs seemed to be kind of aggressive," he said.

Although the officer did not request a blood test for Scioli or O'Hara, State College police confirmed the two were "visibly intoxicated." A spokeswoman from Centre Community Hospital would not reveal whether Scioli or O'Hara were administered such tests at the hospital.

Scioli, who was not on an official recruiting visit, refused to comment. O'Hara declined comment.

The first eyewitness, who was walking home from a party early Sunday morning, said the conflict resulted from an exchange of words.

"They (two groups) were yelling at each other . . . (Scioli and O'Hara) were Maced, and about 10 guys just started kicking them and pounding on them," the first eyewitness said.

He said after he and some other men succeeded in breaking up the fight, the Alpha Sigma Phi members went back into the house.

"It was tough for us to get them up, particularly the bigger guy. He was really messed up. He had cuts on his nose and chin. He had a huge lump on his forehead. I've never seen a mark like that before," the first source said.

State College police confirmed that Scioli sustained a large bruise on his forehead.

The first source said that Scioli and O'Hara were sprayed with Mace but the State College police report verifies that only one of the two was sprayed with Mace.

The second eyewitness said between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m., he was walking on East Fairmount Avenue when he heard a fight from a block away. He noticed a group of about 20 to 30 people on the south side of East Fairmount Avenue. He said the shouting could be heard at least a block away from Alpha Sigma Phi.

The second witness said he heard a lot of screaming and yelling and remembers hearing something to the extent of "Don't come back to this house, you bitch."

"About five guys were literally kicking the shit out of him," he said. The witness said he saw only one of the victims get kicked in the ribs, head and stomach.

"He was doubled over on his hands and knees," he said. "He took at least seven or eight shots to the body and a couple of shots to the head."

He said that the victim did get away and attempted to approach the five men again because they appeared to be taunting him.

"The kid took a beating, but he was acting like nothing happened," the second source said. "It seemed it didn't faze him, like he wanted to go finish it."

The second source said he was surprised the police didn't show up, because the police normally patrol the fraternity district during the weekend.

After the fight broke up, eyewitnesses and several members of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, 321 E. Fairmount Ave., assisted O'Hara and Scioli, the State College police said.

The State College police arrived at the scene a little after 2 a.m. Sunday. Lt. Carmine Prestia said the department is still interviewing other witnesses and that an investigation is underway. No charges have been filed, Prestia added.

Greek Life Coordinator Rick Funk said the Interfraternity Council will undertake its own investigation through its Board of Control, a committee that regulates the fraternities and has the power to enforce IFC policies.

Alpha Sigma Phi chapter adviser Larry Walker said he has instructed Miller to take disciplinary action against those members if an investigation proves the members initiated the confrontation.

"I feel confident the fraternity will not be found to be the instigators of the incident," Walker said.