Collegiate Times

College football's prestigious programs have always seen disciplinary tribulations plague their top athletes.

Though it is commonly inferred that suspended football players are barred from practice and games, few actually know the loss of privileges and scholarship implications that ensue with an indefinite suspension.

GIFTED ATHLETES BATTLE THE COURTS

Virginia Tech wide receiver Zach Luckett, a redshirt sophomore, was expected to make a big impact for the Hokies this season. Instead, he was suspended indefinitely before the opening game.

On Aug. 17, Luckett was arrested for driving under the influence, his second in as many years, and for driving on a suspended license. Tests showed that he had a .16 blood alcohol content at the time of his arrest.

Though the DUI was Luckett's first in Blacksburg, he has had a series of legal troubles since enrolling at Tech, including a public urination charge that he was fined for in August 2006 and a seatbelt violation in November 2006 for which he was also fined. In the summer of 2007, Luckett was charged with a failure to stop at the scene of an accident, a charge that was later dismissed.

Because of Luckett's most recent offenses, he has faced disciplinary action from both the football team and judicial affairs office.

Tech's alcohol-policy states, "if you are arrested or receive a summons for an alcohol related violation within either the town of Blacksburg or Montgomery County, your case will also be referred to the Virginia Tech judicial system for further action."

For major offenses, including DUIs and other criminal actions that seriously endanger a student's well-being, students face deferred suspensions. Students are required to take alcohol awareness classes or face suspension.

"They gave me three sessions of in-depth counseling where you talk to someone and they try to see what happened and if you have alcohol problems," Luckett said.

Luckett added that he has much more interaction with the players than the coaches since his suspension began. Thus far, he said that the talks with his teammates have been uplifting.

"I see the guys on the team a lot on campus on the weekdays and on weekends, but I don't see the coaches too much," Luckett said. His teammates, "are telling me to stay strong, encouraging me to keep my head up and keep moving forward. Letting me know that whenever I am allowed to come back they'll be there for me. They tell me they're playing for me."

Luckett has a disposition hearing on Thursday, but was unsure of how he would plead. The outcome of the hearing will play a significant role in Luckett's status on the football team.

"The court date is Thursday, and I'll talk to Coach after that," Luckett said. "I come back and talk to the coaches once a week to let them know what's going on. My lawyer is handling everything."

Luckett is presently allowed to use the academic services provided for athletes, though he is barred from all the sporting facilities that the team can use.

But Luckett said that he is working out regularly to prepare himself, just not in the team weight room.

"I'm working out at McComas and playing basketball," Luckett said. "I go alone right after my classes. I have late class every day, so after that I go and stay in shape by playing basketball. I meet with (the academic) counselor once a week."

Though Luckett has now missed four games, he remains optimistic for the remainder of the season, and fully expects to be reinstated to the team. He has been studying the playbook and preparing to return to the team.

"(My teammates) are letting me know that whenever I am allowed to come back they'll be there for me," Luckett said. "I'll be a little slow at wide receiver, but after I get two or three games in I'll be back. I've just been watching other people play, so I'll be ready when the call comes."

Luckett said he has experienced personal growth since the incident.

"I've been out for four games and gotten everything together as far as myself and moving in the right direction goes," Luckett said. "Even before that DUI I was moving in the right direction. It was my fault, and I'm trying to make a positive out of the whole situation. The coaches know that, and I think they understand that."

THE MARCUS VICK YEARS

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