THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 17, 1996 TAG: 9608170508
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: 105 lines
If college football success is measured by victories, polls and bowls, Virginia Tech rates among the nation's best in recent years.
But lately, the Hokies have demonstrated the unseemly side that often accompanies that success. Football fame has begotten infamy in Blacksburg as Tech football players' names pile on an ever-expanding rap sheet.
Since November, the arrests of seven Hokies by Blacksburg police have become public. Individually, none of the incidents are scandalous and no one has served jail time.
Collectively, it's a sobering list.
``We've had more situations come up this year than we've ever had before,'' Tech assistant head coach Billy Hite said. ``They're out in the public eye and I don't know if they feel they're invisible or indestructible or what, but it's gotta stop.''
Tech started practice this week with the announcement that backup tailback Marcus Parker, the most recent player to run afoul of the law, is on indefinite suspension. Parker was convicted of shoplifting. He will practice with the scout team and may be allowed to return to competition after completing professional counseling.
Two other players have been found guilty - James Crawford and Chesapeake's Tony Morrison. Both were suspended from the Sugar Bowl by head coach Frank Beamer.
The remaining charges against Hokie players have been dismissed in court.
``With the success of these programs, the athletes have to realize they're going to get a heck of a lot more publicity than they once did,'' Tech athletic director Dave Braine said. ``I don't need to say anything else on that.''
The other legal situation that looms over the program is the civil lawsuit against two Tech players by a woman who alleges they raped her in their dorm room.
All-American defensive end Cornell Brown said the incidents have galvanized the Hokies, who ``have to change our whole demeanor and be better people.'' Brown said the publicity is heightened because the program is winning.
He also said coaches have stressed steering clear of trouble.
``They just told us we've gotta stop it,'' Brown said. ``We can't act special. We kind of feel like people owe us something, and it's not like that.
``There's going to be a lot of things that normally you could have done when you were losing that wouldn't have made the paper. But now it's making the paper, and people are taking you to court. You've gotta just stay away from it - try as hard as you can to walk away from things that are happening.''
Beamer acknowledged during Tech's football media day Wednesday that the incidents are a concern for the program, which has risen to new heights in on-field accomplishments the past three seasons.
``I can assure you that it's our goal to have a program here at Virginia Tech that has people that we're proud of on the field and off the field,'' said Beamer, who appeared before the school's board of visitors in the spring to discuss the off-the-field problems. ``For the most part, we have that.
``I think we're in perfect control. Guys that fall out of line are going to be punished.''
Tech faculty representative to the athletic department Larry Killough declined to comment on how the incidents are perceived on campus.
``I'm not going to offer opinions and insight into things that should come from coach Beamer, Dave Braine or one of the other people over there,'' said Killough, adding he never comments to the press.
Tech president Paul Torgersen and executive vice president Minnis Ridenour could not be reached for comment.
Hite pointed out most of the incidents happened during the offseason and summer, when players are not under the direct supervision of the coaches. He said Beamer has made it clear he will mete out severe punishment if further scrapes with the law occur.
Hite said perhaps because of their achievements, Tech players are being targeted more now when they are out in public. But he added that a few years ago the Hokies did not know how to win games, and now they have that figured out. But they may need to learn some other lessons.
``Now we're not handling success very well,'' Hite said. ``I don't know if that's what it is or not.
``It's all going to stop, no question about that, or they won't be here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
TECH TROUBLES
The arrests of seven Virginia Tech football players in Blacksburg
since November have become public:
James Crawford Nov. 27, 1995; Defraud of a garage, leaving scene
of accident Defraud dismissed, convicted of disorderly conduct,
fined $400 and given 10-day suspended jail sentence
Antonio Banks Dec. 3, 1995; Assault and battery Dismissed
Tony Morrison Dec. 9, 1995; Petty larceny, destruction of
property, public intoxication, possession of fake driver's license
Found guilty of fake driver's license, fined $500, $400 of which was
suspended upon completion of youthful offender program; other
charges dismissed upon payment of court costs
John I. Thomas Feb. 18, 1996; Leaving the scene of accident
Dismissed
George DelRicco March 21, 1996; Assault and battery Dismissed
Jim Druckenmiller March 21, 1996; Malicious wounding Dismissed
Marcus Parker July 9, 1996; Shoplifting Convicted, fined $100 and
given 10-day suspended jail sentence
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA TECH ARREST FOOTBALL PLAYERS by CNB