THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 11, 1996 TAG: 9609110665
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: 79 lines
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and athletic director Dave Braine said Tuesday they have completed their investigation into the beating that occurred on campus Aug. 31 allegedly involving football players and they have turned their findings over to Blacksburg police, who continue to investigate the matter.
``I looked into this thing very closely,'' Beamer said in his first comments on the incident, in which a track athlete said he suffered a broken collarbone and several other injuries when he allegedly was beat up by what he said was a group of football players. ``I took action on what I knew for sure took place.
`` ... There's a lot of stories coming around.''
Beamer said the matter is now in the hands of the police. ``If there should be charges, we'll let those things play out in court,'' he said.
Beamer did not announce any suspensions, but sports media relations director Jack Williams said Beamer has meted out internal discipline to three players as a result of the incident. The nature of the discipline and who received it was not revealed.
``I'm not going to make any more statements or make any more decisions until it follows through - if it should go that far - through the courts,'' Beamer said.
When pressed on the matter by reporters following his news conference, Beamer angrily walked away.
Blacksburg Police Chief Bill Brown termed the information Tech provided ``significant'' to the investigation. Brown said because approximately 200 people were at the scene, it could take longer than first expected to complete the investigation.
``It probably will take anywhere within the next two weeks to sift through all the statements and to interview people involved with the case,'' Brown said.
``We're at the tip of the iceberg. I feel strongly charges will emanate out of this. How many and who, that's what the investigation will reveal.''
Beamer, Braine and university president Paul Torgersen discussed the situation on Monday. The incident is the latest in a rash of off-the-field problems for Tech's football program in recent months.
``When Dr. Torgersen talked to us yesterday, his deal was enough is enough, it's got to stop,'' Braine said. ``Frank has told the team he's tired of it, I told the team I'm tired of it. I hate sitting here having to answer these questions.''
Braine said he and Beamer have talked to about 20 players about the incident, which took place near the Squires Student Center at about 2 a.m. at a dance put on by a black student organization.
He emphasized that should not be construed to mean 20 players are in trouble. Braine said there are several different versions of what happened, but would not elaborate.
``Ninety-five percent or 98 percent of our kids are good kids, and we're spending all our time talking about 3 percent, or maybe 2 percent or maybe 1 percent,'' Braine said. ``I don't know how many, but it tarnishes the reputation of the university.
``But if somebody is involved, I expect the hammer to fall, so to speak. And I hope you put that `If' as a very big if somebody is involved.''
PARKER WATCH: There's still no word on whether tailback Marcus Parker, suspended for the Akron game, will play Saturday at Boston College (12:30 p.m., ESPN). ``We'll make that known at the right time,'' Beamer said.
FORD TOUGH: Junior college transfer Walter Ford fumbled the first Akron punt at Tech's 5-yard line Saturday, and fielded the next one in the end zone and was tackled for a safety. The miscues led directly to eight Akron points, and Angelo Harrison took over the return chores.
Beamer said Ford's punt return days are not over. He said Ford has good hands, but made some bad judgments in his first Division I-A game.
``He'll be back there again, you can write it down,'' Beamer said.
QUICK HITS: The Hokies will be going for a school-record 12th consecutive win Saturday. ... Tech has never opened a season with back-to-back road wins. games with a touchdown pass. by CNB