Post by rainman on Sept 21, 2007 6:15:53 GMT -5
WVU reinstates Thomas, Lankster
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Coach Rich Rodriguez announced Thursday night that Ellis Lankster and J.T. Thomas, who had been suspended indefinitely, have been reinstated to the West Virginia University football squad.
Both were arrested by Morgantown City Police on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 19, and charged with receiving and transferring stolen goods.
Rodriguez said the two players have entered into a pre-trial diversion agreement with the State of West Virginia in regards to the charges against them. Apparently that is the reason that they are back with the team.
Both will dress for Saturday’s game against East Carolina at Mountaineer Field/Milan Puskar Stadium. But neither will start.
Lankster is a 5-10, 190-pound junior defensive back from Whistler, Ala. Thomas is a 6-2, 220-pound redshirt freshman linebacker from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
WVU’s training camp had ended the previous afternoon and Rodriguez told the media that his players were on an 11 o’clock curfew that night.
It was shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday that officers pulled over Lankster’s automobile at the McDonald’s Restaurant on University Avenue. They found a laptop computer in the vehicle. Thomas claimed he had purchased it second-hand.
Both had been at a party earlier that night, and when they left city police received a call that a laptop and TV set had been stolen. A third person, never identified, was reported to have been with them.
The TV set never has been found.
A release from WVU Sports Communications Thursday did not contain any quotes from Rodriguez, but did say that he would have no further comment.
Both players were quoted extensively in the release.
Thomas said, “As many of you in this community know, I was involved in an incident that has caused a great deal of disappointment and embarrassment. This last month has been very difficult for me and my family because of action I have brought upon myself.
“I have brought embarrassment to myself, my family, my teammates, the university and the State of West Virginia. For that, I apologize from the bottom of my heart to all of those I have affected.”
Lankster said, “I sincerely apologize to West Virginia University, my teammates, coaches and fans for my recent lapse of judgment. I regret my actions and the embarrassment that I have caused to those closest to me.
“I appreciate the opportunity to return to WVU football and will work hard to demonstrate my commitment to those who have so generously given me the chance to return to the WVU football team.”
Thomas added, ”I know that actions speak louder than words, and I know that I am going to have to prove myself all over again. Whether in the classroom or on the field, I promise to work hard to regain the trust and credibility from all of those people that I have let down.
“I thank the university and Coach Rodriguez for their understanding and their support.”
Both players had been scheduled for preliminary hearings on Monday, Sept. 10, in Monongalia County Magistrate Court. But those were postponed without public explanation.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Coach Rich Rodriguez announced Thursday night that Ellis Lankster and J.T. Thomas, who had been suspended indefinitely, have been reinstated to the West Virginia University football squad.
Both were arrested by Morgantown City Police on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 19, and charged with receiving and transferring stolen goods.
Rodriguez said the two players have entered into a pre-trial diversion agreement with the State of West Virginia in regards to the charges against them. Apparently that is the reason that they are back with the team.
Both will dress for Saturday’s game against East Carolina at Mountaineer Field/Milan Puskar Stadium. But neither will start.
Lankster is a 5-10, 190-pound junior defensive back from Whistler, Ala. Thomas is a 6-2, 220-pound redshirt freshman linebacker from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
WVU’s training camp had ended the previous afternoon and Rodriguez told the media that his players were on an 11 o’clock curfew that night.
It was shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday that officers pulled over Lankster’s automobile at the McDonald’s Restaurant on University Avenue. They found a laptop computer in the vehicle. Thomas claimed he had purchased it second-hand.
Both had been at a party earlier that night, and when they left city police received a call that a laptop and TV set had been stolen. A third person, never identified, was reported to have been with them.
The TV set never has been found.
A release from WVU Sports Communications Thursday did not contain any quotes from Rodriguez, but did say that he would have no further comment.
Both players were quoted extensively in the release.
Thomas said, “As many of you in this community know, I was involved in an incident that has caused a great deal of disappointment and embarrassment. This last month has been very difficult for me and my family because of action I have brought upon myself.
“I have brought embarrassment to myself, my family, my teammates, the university and the State of West Virginia. For that, I apologize from the bottom of my heart to all of those I have affected.”
Lankster said, “I sincerely apologize to West Virginia University, my teammates, coaches and fans for my recent lapse of judgment. I regret my actions and the embarrassment that I have caused to those closest to me.
“I appreciate the opportunity to return to WVU football and will work hard to demonstrate my commitment to those who have so generously given me the chance to return to the WVU football team.”
Thomas added, ”I know that actions speak louder than words, and I know that I am going to have to prove myself all over again. Whether in the classroom or on the field, I promise to work hard to regain the trust and credibility from all of those people that I have let down.
“I thank the university and Coach Rodriguez for their understanding and their support.”
Both players had been scheduled for preliminary hearings on Monday, Sept. 10, in Monongalia County Magistrate Court. But those were postponed without public explanation.
