May 15, 2004
Vick, 2 others sentenced to 30 days, fine
Hokies QB Marckus Vick, RB Mike Imoh, and WR Brenden Hill were convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for serving alcohol to 15 year old girls. Vick was found guilty of one count while Hill and Imoh were each convicted of three counts.
The players had faced additional charges of having sex with underage girls, but were cleared of those charges. Vick's attorney says he will appeal the sentence, which also includes a $2,500 fine.
A VT spokesman said the conviction will not immediately change the players status with the team, but it would be reviewed.
From my perspective, Vick, Hill, and Imoh get an half apology from me. Months ago (before the server crash), we ripped them pretty hard for alleged sex with minors (statutory rapte), photos of underage girls, and plying the girls with drinks. The three got a pass on the sex charges, so I apologize if we jumped to conclusions.
That being said, these three seem pretty lucky. They could have been put away for a long, long time. They were stupid to be in the situation in the first place. Had the "gentlemen" at Colorado stolen their thunder, this might have been the scandal of the year. They put themselves, their team, and Virginia Tech in jeopardy.
The university says they are going to review the players status. I think it's time to step up, Va Tech. Send the message that it's not OK for football players to get children drunk.
Comments:
posted on May 15, 2004 7:45 PM — 24.164.112.114 — link — abuse?Lloyd Severence said:
I guess the biggest thing to remember is that just because they didn't end up being convicted of statutory rape, that doesn't mean they didn't do it, they just don't have proof.
It's pretty hard to account for why he had pictures of the girls naked...
michelle said:
posted on June 15, 2004 2:39 PM — 68.226.66.85 — link — abuse?
Do any of you even go to VT? I not only go to this go to this school but know this situation very well. The girls lied to the guys saying they were 18 and 19 and that they all went to Radford. They not only were drunk before they got to the apt but the only reason this got out in the open was b/c one of the girls got jealous about the attention the other two girls were getting. I'm not saying that the boys were right or the girls were wrong but this is a college town everyone in Bburg either goes to the University or is affiliated w/the school somehow so its not hard to lie and say that you go there. I am 22 yrs old and everyday get mistaken for a 17 yr old, you can't see age by looking at a person's face and if every hot guy or girl you met you asked for ID then maybe this wouldn't of happened, but then again that might increase the number of fakes...wouldn't it? Like you said, let's remember that they weren't convicted of statutory rape b/c there was no proof b/c it didn't happen. If you were in that courtroom and heard that girl pleading the fifth maybe you'd realize there was nothing to convict on.
posted on June 15, 2004 7:26 PM — link — abuse?
You're pointing the finger in the wrong direction, Michelle. The girls did what young, little girls do - embellish and even lie to get attention from older guys. The men are the ones that acted irresponsibly and --as the court pointed out-- acted illegally.
The players embarrassed your school and your mad. OK. It's not the girls fault. To suggest that the guys weren't responsible for their own actions only enables them. I suspect you expect more from your students, don't you? How 'bout frank criticism of their actions?
Maurice said:
posted on June 16, 2004 10:53 AM — 208.17.179.33 — link — abuse?
When will this sport stars realize they are not above the Law. Vick, Imoh, Hill was thinking with their little head instead of the big head. A 15 year-old jump-off(groupie) cause them 30 days in jail. I do not understand, I know at VT there are thousands of females that are willing to have sex without getting drunk that is college life. Why run a train on 15 year old and there are sexy, mature, of age females on campus. They should get more time for stupidity.
I guess Vick, Imoh, and Hill watched the Rkelly tape.
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Pete said:
posted on May 15, 2004 12:05 PM — 68.62.114.241 — link — abuse?You know, I've long been an advocate that any player convicted of certain offenses (this being one of them) should be unequivocally and immediately banned from playing NCAA sports, period -- and not at the university level, at the highest leve.
By letting them go with a slap on the wrist we send the message that it's not such a bad thing, and that kind of behavior permeates into professional sports. That, and I'm absolutely sick of thugs playing games that are for student athletes.