Hokies suspend troubled Vick for entire season

[DJRamFan]

Aug. 3, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick was suspended from the university for the 2004 season because of his run-ins with the law.

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Virginia Tech officials said Tuesday they took the action because of Vick's convictions in May on three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after he and two teammates gave alcohol to 14- and 15-year-old girls at the players' apartment. Vick, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Hokies star Michael Vick, was acquitted of a charge of having sex with one of the girls and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $2,250.

The suspension also was based on reckless driving and marijuana possession charges filed against Vick last month after an early morning traffic stop on Interstate 64 in New Kent Kent County. The 20-year-old player faced trial on those charges Tuesday.

He was clocked on radar at 86 mph, 21 mph above the speed limit, state police said. The traffic stop led to the marijuana possession charge.

Re-admittance to the university is contingent on Vick's successful completion of a drug education and counseling program.

Athletic director Jim Weaver said he told Vick any further criminal, athletic or university violations will result in Vick's permanent dismissal from Virginia Tech sports.

The suspension "is a stiff penalty," Virginia Tech president Charles Steger said. "Vick won't play this year and loses that year of eligibility. If there is any more trouble, his Virginia Tech career is effectively ended."

Weaver added: "This action also gives Marcus a chance to right himself. Fundamentally, he's a good person and we want to see him succeed."

Vick, a redshirt sophomore, was expected to challenge senior Bryan Randall for the quarterback's job this season after the two essentially shared the job last season.

In the Montgomery County case, tailback Mike Imoh, 19, was sentenced to 10 days in jail and fined $750. Wide receiver Brenden Hill, 19, was sentenced to 20 days in jail and fined $1,500. Imoh and Hill were suspended for three games.

Vick and his teammates are appealing their convictions to Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Vick also was suspended for one game last season for a violation of team policy. He had been placed on indefinite suspension one month ago.


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