ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 14, 1997 TAG: 9701140077
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LEXINGTON
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
VMI forward Brent Conley was pictured on the cover of the program for the Keydets' basketball game Monday night against Georgia Southern.
It was the last time Conley or point guard Andre Quarles will be seen at Cameron Hall for a while.
Conley and Quarles, both sophomores, began a suspension Monday resulting from excessive demerits that will force them out of school for the spring and fall 1997 semesters. At the earliest, the duo can return to play in the spring semester of 1998.
The penalty is a result of a VMI suspension, not an NCAA suspension. In NCAA legalese, Conley and Quarles would be ``dismissed for disciplinary reasons,'' said VMI compliance director Paul Parker.
``I go to bat for the kids, but the bottom line is I believe in the system,'' said Bart Bellairs, the Keydets' coach. ``At VMI, character is what our business is all about.''
Conley, the 1995-96 Southern Conference freshman of the year, was VMI's leading scorer (17.3 points per game) and rebounder (9.2 per game). Quarles started nine, averaging 6.9 points and leading the Keydets with 3.2 assists per game.
Conley and Quarles have the option of appealing the suspension.
If it stands, each player will have to earn 36 credit hours in a community or junior college to be readmitted to VMI, said VMI compliance director Paul Parker. Parker said both will be held responsible for the grades they earned in the fall 1996 semester. They will have to repeat any classes in which they earned a ``D'' or ``F.''
``This is a character-building time for me and the team,'' Bellairs said.
LENGTH: Short : 39 linesby CNB