ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, September 20, 1996 TAG: 9609200043
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Suspended tailback Marcus Parker's next carry for Virginia Tech football team may not come until 1997.
Parker, suspended indefinitely Aug.13 after pleading no contest to a shoplifting charge, will not be reinstated for Saturday's home opener against Rutgers.
Furthermore, it's a strong possibility that Parker may not suit up at all this season. Sources said the Tech coaching staff has asked Parker to take a redshirt season this year, which would leave the junior with two more years of eligibility.
The decision to redshirt will be totally up to the former Salem High School star, a source said.
Frank Beamer, the Hokies' head coach, refused to comment Tuesday when asked if Parker may elect to take a redshirt year. But on his Monday night radio show, Beamer, when asked if Parker might opt to redshirt, said, ``I think that's always a possibility.''
With Parker and Ken Oxendine (separated right shoulder) out, true freshman Shyrone Stith of Chesapeake will start at tailback Saturday. Stith was impressive in his first college start this past Saturday at Boston College, running for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
In Tech's Sept.7 opener at Akron, Stith came off the bench after Oxendine was injured and rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Stith's 199 yards rushing in two games ranks fourth in the Big East Football Conference.
Beamer said Thursday he hopes Oxendine will return for the Hokies' key Sept. 28 Big East date at Syracuse.
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