Hokies see lessons in fall of school's favorite son
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The doors that lead to the large auditorium where Virginia Tech's football team meets are kept propped open these days, giving passers-by a clear view to what once appeared to be the Hokies' inner sanctum.
Outside, the words "Michael Vick Hall" on the wide open wooden doors are hardly detectable, and have been for weeks since his legal troubles became apparent.
While the goal of minimizing Vick's impact at Virginia Tech seems clear, in the offices where coach Frank Beamer and his assistants are preparing for their season opener on Saturday against East Carolina, the support for the Atlanta Falcons quarterback is unwavering.
"I thought Michael Vick took a big step," Beamer said Tuesday, speaking of Vick's statement of apology and regret that came minutes after he pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge in Richmond.
"I thought he was extremely sincere. I'm pulling for Michael Vick. I know how I know him, like him, think about him. I'm pulling for Michael Vick."
Beamer, who coached Vick for three seasons and whose team rode his dazzling skills to the Sugar Bowl national championship game in 2000, met with Vick at the NFL Draft in April, around the same time Vick met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Vick admittedly lied to Goodell and Blank about the case.
"We'll keep the conversation and what was said between us," Beamer said when asked if Vick also had lied to him at their meeting in New York.
Beamer said he hasn't spoken with Vick since, and it's clear Vick's problems is not a favorite topic.
The Hokies already are in the midst of an intense week, preparing for the first game since a gunman killed 32 people and himself on the Virginia Tech campus.
The shootings happened nine days before local officials in Surry County raided a home Vick owned as part of a drug investigation, setting off what evolved into the dogfighting probe that has seen Vick and three associates plead guilty. Each faces up to five years in prison when sentenced later this year.
The NFL has suspended Vick indefinitely without pay. The Falcons intend to pursue the $22 million in bonus money he received in a $130 million deal signed in 2004.
Several Hokies players saw the former Virginia Tech star on television Monday, either on his way into the federal courthouse greeted by protesters and supporters, on his way out to the same reception or struggling to express his sorrow on a podium later.
Linebacker Vince Hall said it was a scene players could learn from.
"You've always got to make the right decisions, and if you do wrong, you're going to pay for it and all you can do is serve your time for it and change," he said.
Tailback Branden Ore, who spent a semester working in a warehouse when he was slacking academically and was told by his coaches to go home and evaluate how much football meant to him, has met Vick a few times and found him to be a good guy.
The lesson Vick is learning, though, came through loud and clear.
"Anybody that's in that kind of position knows that just as quick as you get built up, they'll break you down. You've just got to be careful of what you're doing and who you are hanging with," the starting tailback said.
But, he added, he agreed Vick already has made a first step toward redemption.
"From the impression that I got, the speech was sincere. He didn't have it written down. That was straight from the heart, so I would say America is a forgiving country once you show people that you are really sincere about the mistakes that you made."
The lesson, wide receiver Justin Harper said, was much like the one the Hokies have been highlighting each day since the April 16 shootings brought tragedy to campus.
"You've got to value each day," he said.