ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
This is not the way coach Frank Beamer and his 16th-ranked Virginia Tech football team wanted to start the 1996 season.
On the day returning veterans reported for fall practice, the Hokies were rocked Tuesday by the news that junior tailback Marcus Parker has been suspended from the team for an indefinite period.
Beamer announced Parker's suspension after learning the former Salem High School star had pleaded no contest to a shoplifting charge July 25 in Blacksburg General District Court.
Beamer said he will determine when the tailback can return to competition. Parker, who at Beamer's request will undergo professional counseling, will continue to practice with the squad as a member of the scout team, the coach said.
``Marcus will be involved in a counseling program as he continues his academic pursuits and football practice,'' Beamer said.
Beamer said he will make a decision on Parker's future status based on the player's attitude and on advice from counselors.
The shoplifting charge stemmed from an incident that occurred at 1:42 a.m. July 9 at the Blacksburg Kroger supermarket. According to police reports, two store employees said Parker attempted to steal a package of condoms and a small jar of garlic salt.
Parker, through his attorney, Pete Theodore of Blacksburg, entered a no-contest plea in court. Parker was fined $100 and given a 10-day jail sentence, which was suspended by the court. Parker also had to pay $159 in court costs and promise Judge T.D. Frith he never would return to the store.
Parker, who reported Tuesday morning with the Hokies' other veteran players, was unavailable for comment. A source in the Tech football office who declined to be identified said Parker ``is not going to talk.''
The Hokies` coaching staff apparently was unaware of Parker's legal problems until being questioned about the matter Monday night by a Roanoke Times reporter.
``Nobody here knew anything about it,'' Hokies assistant coach Billy Hite said Tuesday. ``It caught us by total surprise. Usually, we're the first ones to know.''
Hite said he reached Parker by phone late Monday night.
``Marcus told me, `Coach, I swear it was an honest mistake,''' Hite said.
Hite said Parker told him he put a couple of small items in his pants pocket while in the store because he couldn't find a hand-held shopping basket. By doing that, he could carry the ``six to eight larger items'' he had in his hands.
``I'm not alibiing for him,'' Hite said, ``but if you really think about it, it's the kind of thing that could happen to anybody.''
Hite said he thought Parker ``was afraid to come and tell [the coaches] about'' the incident in light of the program's recent off-the-field woes.
``Coach Beamer told the kids not long ago, `If anything else happens, we are coming down hard on you,''' Hite said. ``So I'm sure Marcus must have been a little scared.''
In the past year, seven Tech players have been charged with various offenses. Only two, however, have been convicted.
The loss of Parker is a serious blow to the Hokies' offense. The explosive 5-foot-10, 222-pound back shined in spring practice and was listed as a co-starting tailback on the preseason depth chart with fellow junior Ken Oxendine. A year ago, Hite said Parker possessed the tools ``to be the best running back in Virginia Tech history.''
The Hokies, who open the season Sept. 7 at Akron, moved the two-time All-Group AA performer at Salem (1991-92) from fullback to tailback before spring practice.
Parker, getting most of his playing time as the No. 2 fullback behind Brian Edmonds, ran for 267 yards on 46 carries in 1995. He scored five touchdowns in Tech's final six regular-season games and added another in the Hokies' 28-10 Sugar Bowl triumph over Texas.
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: headshot of Parker colorby CNB