ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, November 20, 1996           TAG: 9611200065
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: A-1  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER

HOKIE BIRD: DEFINITELY NOT A CHICKEN ALAN KIM. THE HOKIE BIRD IS PASSED UP IN THE STANDS BY TECH FANS DURING THE HOKIES' HOME GAME AGAINST SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA ON NOV. 2. NOW, THE TURKEY IS IN HOT WATER FOR FIGHTING ANOTHER MASCOT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI DURING SATURDAY'S GAME, AND A BACKUP BIRD WILL BE TAKING ITS PLACE. COLOR.

Virginia Tech's suspension list associated with the football program has gotten longer this week. But to coach Frank Beamer's relief, this time it's not a player.

Danny Monk, Tech associate athletic director, confirmed Tuesday he has suspended the school's mascot, the Hokie Bird, for the rest of the season following an incident of fowl play last Saturday with the Miami mascot.

Some observers have a hard time readily identifying the Hokie Bird's costume as a turkey, but they found out Saturday that he's definitely no chicken.

According to Orange Bowl witnesses, the Hokie Bird sent the UM mascot - an ibis - to the Orange Bowl canvas with a couple of haymakers in the second half, proving that birds of a feather do not always stick together.

The Hokie Bird was then dragged from the field by Orange Bowl security.

No police were involved, but Monk conceded the Hokie Bird's playful action was way too serious for some.

"The Hokie Bird has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the game,'' Monk said. "But we will have a backup bird, yes, for the rest of the season.''

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