ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, September 6, 1996              TAG: 9609060031
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-6  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER 

EDMONDS STAYS HOME FULLBACK OUT FOR TECH TRIP

The Virginia Tech football team's hastily scheduled flight out of Roanoke to Akron, Ohio, on Thursday night included a shortened passenger list.

The 15th-ranked Hokies left town without starting fullback Brian Edmonds, who was suspended Thursday afternoon by coach Frank Beamer for Saturday's season opener against Akron.

Edmonds, a senior who has started every game the past two seasons, will not play because of a one-game suspension levied by Beamer for a violation of team policy.

A source close to the team said at least one more player likely will be suspended before Saturday's 7 p.m. kickoff at the Rubber Bowl. It could not be confirmed whether Edmonds' and any other impending suspension is a result of an early-morning brawl Saturday on College Avenue. A Tech track athlete, Hilliard Sumner of Bronx, N.Y., said Thursday night he sustained a broken collarbone in the melee after being beaten by 15 to 20 football players.

Blacksburg police were investigating the incident, but had made no arrests as of Thursday night.

The loss of Edmonds means Tech will be without two of its top three backs Saturday. Marcus Parker, who was expected to share time time at tailback with Ken Oxendine, will miss the game because of an indefinite suspension levied by Beamer on Aug.13.

Beamer said Edmonds' spot against Akron will be filled by redshirt freshman Shelly Ellison.

As if Edmonds' situation didn't create enough chaos for Beamer on Thursday, the team was forced to pack and leave early for Akron because of today's predicted weather problems in Roanoke stemming from Hurricane Fran.

The Hokies originally were scheduled to leave Roanoke Regional Airport at 1 p.m. today. But Tech officials were told Thursday if the team didn't leave tonight, it faced the distinct possibility of not being able to fly out of Roanoke today.

LENGTH: Short :   44 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  (headshots) Edmonds.