Virginia Tech President Charles Steger announced late Friday afternoon that quarterback Marcus Vick has been dismissed from the football team due to legal trouble off the field and unsportsmanlike play on the field. The dismissal brings an end to the wild ride that was the Marcus Vick era, which was always filled with promise, yet never materialized the way that Virginia Tech fans hoped.
After red shirting during the 2002 season, Vick was suspended for the James Madison game in 2003 for an undisclosed violation of team rules. He split time with Bryan Randall for much of the season, leading the Hokies to a big victory over Miami and flashing ability that gave Tech fans great hope for the future of the program.
Vick ran afoul of the law following the 2003 season when he was convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Shortly after that incident, Vick was arrested for reckless driving and possession of marijuana. Following his second arrest in a manner of months, Vick was suspended from the university for the fall of 2004, and watched from home as Bryan Randall led the Hokies to the ACC Championship and a berth in the Sugar Bowl.
Vick was allowed to return to Virginia Tech with the understanding that if he got into anymore trouble, he would be permanently dismissed. On December 17, Vick was arrested in Hampton for driving with a suspended license, which stems from his reckless driving incident in 2004. During the Gator Bowl, Vick was caught on camera stomping at the leg of Louisville All-American defensive end Elvis Dumervil. This incident created a lot of bad press for Virginia Tech throughout the week, and as a result of his recent actions on the field and off the field, Vick has been dismissed.
There will be a press conference in Blacksburg on Saturday morning, January 7 at 11am. President Charles Steger, athletics director Jim Weaver, and head coach Frank Beamer will be in attendance.
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