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

DATE: SATURDAY, August 19, 1995                   TAG: 9508210041
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TECH LINEBACKER BACK ON THE FIELD

The Tony Morrison saga is over.

The Chesapeake linebacker's long-running fight with Virginia Tech finally ended Friday afternoon when the university announced he is eligible to enroll in school this fall.

The university's decision frees Morrison, one of the Hokies' prized recruits last year, to resume his football career at Tech.

``Tony Morrison will be enrolled in school this fall and he will suit up for the football team,'' Tech's director of university relations Larry Hincker said Friday.

``Other than that, that's all I can say.''

Morrison, projected to be a starting linebacker for Tech this fall, is expected to be on the field tonight at Lane Stadium for the Hokies' first intrasquad scrimmage.

Morrison couldn't be reached for comment Friday night, but David Paxton, his Roanoke-based lawyer, said the sophomore ``was excited and elated'' when he learned the ordeal was over.

``I gave Tony the news on the phone,'' said Paxton, ``and his first response was, `You're not kidding me are you?' I think this whole process took so long that he was beginning to give up hope.''

Friday's decision ended a three-month fight between Morrison and the university.

Tech football coach Frank Beamer welcomed Morrison back to the team with a prepared statement.

``In my opinion, it is not only the right thing, but the fair thing, for Tony Morrison to be enrolled at Virginia Tech this academic year and play football this season,'' the statement said. ``I'm always interested in the student being treated fairly, and I think that is what happened in this situation.''

Morrison's woes began in the spring when he was suspended from school for an unspecified on-campus incident. Morrison's original appeal for reinstatement to Tech was later denied.

But Morrison and his father, Jim, didn't stop there. The family retained the services of Paxton and filed yet another appeal to the university. The persistence paid off.

``We, meaning the family and myself, are just very pleased that the university has granted his appeal and he can attend school and play football this fall,'' Paxton said.