THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 6, 1995 TAG: 9506060372
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Tony Morrison will not return to the Virginia Tech Hokies this fall.
He was supposed to start at inside linebacker. But the rising sophomore from Chesapeake's Indian River High School was involved in an unspecified incident that will cause him to miss at least one semester, according to director of university relations Larry Hincker. The decision was rendered by the school's student affairs office.
A decision had been reached previously and was under appeal by Morrison. Hincker said the matter has gone through all of the internal university appeals.
``He is not in school and he will not be in school this fall,'' Hincker said. ``It's definite.''
But not necessarily permanent. Hincker said Morrison could be back on campus and in uniform in the future, but would not say when. Hincker cited privacy laws and legal repercussions as reasons for the sketchy details.
``There certainly is an opportunity to return,'' Hincker said. ``I can't say when without divulging what happened to the young man.''
Jim Morrison, Tony's father, said Monday he had not received word yet on the appeal. He also declined to provide details of the incident, citing legal proceedings.
Hincker, after consulting with the dean of student affairs, said ``the University notified the student.''
Jim Morrison would not speculate on whether Tony would attempt to return to Tech after having to sit out a season, or if he will enroll at another school.
``Until everything unfolds, I wouldn't want to consider anything yet,'' said Jim Morrison, who declined to call his son to the telephone. ``I don't know how we'll handle that.''
Hincker said Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer would not comment on the matter. Beamer was out of the office Monday. Co-defensive coordinator Rod Sharpless, Morrison's position coach last season, also declined comment.
Morrison played in 10 regular season games and the Gator Bowl as a true freshman last season.
Morrison was the projected starter at the one defensive position at which the Hokies started a senior last season.
He was one of Tech's top recruits in recent years. He was selected Group AAA all-state at quarterback and defensive back in high school and was ranked one of Virginia's top five football recruits by The Roanoke Times & World News. ILLUSTRATION: Color file photo
Tony Morrison, who was supposed to start at inside linebacker,
played in 10 regular-season games and the Gator Bowl as a true
freshman last season.
by CNB