Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 6, 1995                   TAG: 9506060150
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STEVE CARLSON LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MORRISON LOSES APPEAL, TECH LOSES KEY LINEBACKER

Tony Morrison will not return to Virginia Tech in the fall, leaving the Hokies' football team without a projected starter at inside linebacker.

Morrison, a rising sophomore, was involved in an unspecified incident that resulted in his suspension for at least one semester, according to Larry Hincker, Tech's director of university relations. The decision was rendered by the university's student affairs office after an appeal, presumably by Morrison, but Hincker would not say.

``He is not in school and he will not be in school this fall,'' Hincker told The Virginian-Pilot & The Ledger-Star of Norfolk. ``It's definite.''

But it may not be permanent. Hincker said Morrison could be back on campus and in a Hokies uniform in the future, but would not say when. Hincker said he could not provide more details because of privacy laws and potential legal repercussions.

``There certainly is an opportunity to return,'' Hincker said. ``I can't say when without divulging what happened to the young man.''

Jim Morrison, Tony's father, said Monday he had not received word yet on the appeal. He also declined to provide details of the incident, citing legal proceedings.

Jim Morrison would not speculate on whether his son would attempt to return to Tech after sitting out a season, or if he would enroll at another school.

``Until everything unfolds, I wouldn't want to consider anything yet,'' he said. ``I don't know how we'll handle that.''

Hincker said Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech's head coach, would not comment on the matter. Beamer was not in his office Monday. Assistant coach Rod Sharpless, Morrison's position coach last season, also declined to comment.

Morrison played in 10 regular-season games and the Gator Bowl as a freshman last season. He was suspended for one game for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Morrison was one of Tech's top recruits in recent years. He was an All-Group AAA selection at quarterback and defensive back as a senior at Indian River High School in Chesapeake and was ranked as one of the top five recruits in Virginia by the Roanoke Times & World-News.

As a freshman in 1994, he had 27 tackles (14 solo) and one interception. He was expected to fill the opening left by the departure of All-Big East Conference senior Ken Brown.