Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 21, 1995 TAG: 9511210071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia athletic trainer Joe Gieck, who made an apparent attempt to trip a Virginia Tech football player Saturday, will not be on the sideline if the Cavaliers make a bowl trip.
However, Gieck would be permitted to accompany the team and perform his normal pregame activities, athletic director Terry Holland said.
``A person who does so much to help student-athletes would not attempt to harm those same people in any way,'' said Holland in a statement released by the school. ``This one unfortunate situation should not detract from Joe's stature in his profession.''
There had been speculation that Gieck might receive a more severe penalty after he kicked his left leg onto the field as Tech defensive back Antonio Banks returned an interception for a touchdown in the waning moments of the Hokies' 36-29 victory at Scott Stadium.
Holland was between speaking engagements and was unavailable for individual interviews with the media, but he did call Tech athletic director Dave Braine to apologize. Braine said he wasn't upset.
``First, Joe is a friend,'' said Braine, who coached and served as an administrator at Virginia from 1974-83, ``and I know, if he had to do it over again, he wouldn't do it.
``He's received enough negative publicity over this that I'm sure it's killing him. And I think that's enough punishment. It had nothing to do with the outcome of the game.''
Dan Wooldridge, supervisor of officials for the Big East Football Conference, said Tech could have been credited with a touchdown if Banks had fallen or been knocked off stride.
``The referee is empowered to invoke whatever penalty he deems appropriate,'' Wooldridge said. ``That includes awarding a touchdown.''
Wooldridge said official Paul Tigh was trailing the play and saw everything that happened.
``We talked about it as soon as the game was over,'' Wooldridge said. ``The line judge saw him [Gieck] stick his foot out and pull it back. I don't know if the Tech kid even saw it.
``It was what I'd call a feint, like a boxer faking a punch. I thought about calling [ACC commissioner] Gene Corrigan, but it's none of my business. I'd just hate to see the guy taken to the cleaners over something like this.''
Virginia Tech obtained a statement from Banks, who has not spoken to the media this season.
``After I caught the ball and was running down the sideline, I saw out of the corner of my eye the guy in orange pants [Gieck] stick his foot out, but I didn't think he was close enough to actually trip me.''
Gieck, a member of the UVa training staff for 34 years, has a reputation for baiting basketball officials and last year was asked to leave the bench during a men's home game with Clemson.
``The act of putting my leg out toward the field was not to strike or hurt anyone but was a form of distraction done in frustration,'' said Gieck in the statement released by UVa. ``Nonetheless, it was an inappropriate act and has no place in any collegiate sporting event.
``I apologize to both teams because nothing should detract from this great football rivalry and, in particular, the outstanding game Saturday.''
Wooldridge praised the work of the Big East officiating crew, which operated at less than full strength after side judge George Cullen suffered a concussion with a little more than five minutes left in the first half.
Cullen did not return to the game and was taken to the emergency room at University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville because of high blood pressure. He was hospitalized overnight before returning Sunday to his home in Hampden, Mass.
``I thought our guys worked extremely hard and did a pretty darn good job,'' Wooldridge said.
by CNB