An Air Force Academy spokesman says 27 cadets were injured in a brawl during an unofficial ritual marking the first snowfall of the season.

According to a news release six of the cadets were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released. Twenty-one other cadets were treated at the cadet clinic.

Brig. Gen. Dana Born says in an internal email that cadets needed treatment for injuries including concussions, cuts and a human bite in the Oct. 25 brawl.

The email was provided to The Associated Press and other media outlets Wednesday.

Academy spokesman John Bryant says the email is authentic.

The unofficial ritual happens after the first snow every year. Freshman cadets try to throw their first sergeant into the snow.

Brig. Gen. Gregory Lengyel, Commandant of Cadets, spoke with all the cadets involved. He says, "Our Air Force expects better. I expect better, and I'm confident the cadets will learn and grow from this."