VIEW THE MOBILE ALPHA VERSION OF THIS SITE

News Nuggets, 08.04.04
----------
NOTES FROM ECU AND BEYOND...

Previous Day Nuggets...             Next Day Nuggets...

Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Black day in Blacksburg: L'il Vick sacked for season

NEW KENT, VA � Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick pleaded guilty Tuesday to reckless driving and no contest to marijuana possession, shortly after he was suspended from the university for the 2004 season.

The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Hokies star Michael Vick was fined $300 and his driver's license was suspended for 60 days for reckless driving. As part of a plea agreement, he was placed in a first offender program on the marijuana charge.

Vick refused to answer reporters' questions outside the courthouse, but his lawyers distributed a written statement from his client. Vick apologized and said he intends to return to Virginia Tech.

"I have learned a great deal from the mistakes I have made," the statement said. "I will work hard to earn respect as an athlete and a person. I understand that I had a responsibility to conduct myself appropriately at all times and will work to do that. I am asking that Virginia Tech, and the other people who support me, not give up on me."

The first offender program will require Vick to perform 24 hours of community service, undergo drug counseling and random drug tests, and give up his driver's license for an additional six months.

The judge ordered Vick to return to court on Aug. 9, 2005, to determine whether he has met all the requirements.

The 20-year-old has had a series of run-ins with the law this offseason.

In May, he was convicted 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. He 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 reckless driving and marijuana possession charges were filed against Vick last month after an early morning traffic stop on Interstate 64 in New Kent, Kent County. 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 case involving the teenage girls, 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.

Pot rap nets probation for Martin prodigy

Second-year Kent State head coach Doug Martin will get his quarterback back �  but not in time for the Golden Flashes' September 4 road game against a Big Ten heavyweight.

KSU QB Joshua Cribbs, 21, was sentenced to five years probation for marijuana possession.

Arrested at his home Jan. 17, Cribbs had been suspended from the team until pleading guilty to the charge in June and being reinstated to Kent State's football program. Despite the reinstatement, he will not be allowed to play in that Sept. 4 season opener at Iowa as part of his punishment.

Under the tutelage of Martin, longtime offensive coordinator on the staff of former East Carolina head coach Steve Logan, Cribbs became the school record holder for total offense in both a season and career in 2003.

Cribbs completed 178-of-364 passes for 2,424 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing 161 times for 701 yards and 14 scores last season as the resurgent Flashes shook off a string of miserable seasons and went 5-7.

Cribbs was originally charged with trafficking in marijuana. He was also sentenced Monday to 20 hours of community service.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007