Embattled Lalich removed from Cavs
Peter Lalich
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“I made a mistake,” Peter Lalich said. “I’m very sorry about it.”
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Published: September 18, 2008
Updated: September 19, 2008
Just hours after leaving the Charlottesville General District courthouse Thursday, embattled University of Virginia quarterback Peter Lalich was removed from the team — the latest in a series of legal and team woes for the Cavaliers.
“Peter Lalich is no longer a member of the University of Virginia football team,” said Craig Littlepage, UVa’s athletics director.
“We have supported Peter, but believe today a point has been reached where it’s best for all concerned that he no longer participate on the team. This is my decision and it has the support of head football coach Al Groh. We wish Peter the best in the future. We will have no further comment,” Littlepage said.
Groh said: “Any time a situation doesn’t work out in the most positive way for any player, it’s regrettable, but we stand united with this decision.”
Lalich, 20, admitted in court Thursday that he drank alcohol while on probation for an underage alcohol possession charge.
He testified that he drank to celebrate the last day of football camp, and reported the transgression to his probation officer late last month. He was charged with violating his probation soon after.
“I made a mistake,” Lalich said in court Thursday. “I’m very sorry about it.”
Lalich, who remains a UVa student, started the team’s first two games, but was left in Charlottesville when the team traveled to Connecticut last weekend for its third game of the season, a move announced by Groh.
After the court proceeding, Lalich confirmed that he was summoned to meet with Littlepage, at which time he was informed of his dismissal from the team.
While confirming the logistics of the day, Lalich said he was not comfortable making a statement at this time.
UVa, which is 1-2, plays again Sept. 27 at Duke.
The second-year UVa student confirmed in court that he thought he would be allowed to drink as long as he didn’t get arrested. After General District Judge Robert H. Downer Jr. told Lalich in court that he tells defendants facing the same charge that they cannot drink until they’re of age, he told him he would treat Lalich’s case the same way as everyone else’s by allowing him to continue his probation program and continuing the case.
Defense attorney Tim Heaphy said he was pleased with the judge’s decision.
“We got exactly what we asked for,” Heaphy said.
Lalich told his probation officer on Aug. 26 that he used alcohol and marijuana while on probation.
In court Thursday, Lalich said he realized after talking to some friends that he hadn’t used marijuana during his probation period. After being unable to produce a urine sample during his interview, Lalich was allowed to return the next day and he gave a sample that tested negative for drugs and alcohol.
The football team undergoes random drug and alcohol screenings. Ethan Saliba, UVa’s head athletic trainer, testified Thursday that Lalich’s last four tests were negative for drugs and alcohol.
UVa wide receiver Kevin Ogletree testified that he never saw his friend use marijuana or alcohol during camp, and he wouldn’t have been OK with it if he did. Ogletree, who let Lalich sleep on his couch this summer, said he has seen a change in his teammate as a result of the charges.
“It just added a little bit of extra stress,” Ogletree said. “I’ve seen a change in him. He’s kind of growing up and maturing a little bit.”
Inside and outside of the courtroom, Lalich apologized for letting down his loved ones and his team. He said he has found probation helpful so far because it gives him a chance to talk to someone about his situation.
“I can’t drink,” Lalich said in court. “I have to lead a straight life.”
Lalich is scheduled to return July 21 to court.
The quarterback was not the first Virginia player to have a brush with the law in the past year.
In March, former cornerback Mike Brown was arrested by UVa police and charged with one count each of grand larceny, possession of stolen property with intent to sell, altering serial numbers and possession of marijuana. The marijuana charge was later dropped. Brown, who was dismissed from the team, is awaiting his court date on the other charges.
In April, linebacker J’Courtney Williams was arrested for credit card fraud just two months after being charged with possession of marijuana.
In July, a pair of offensive linemen, Will Barker and Dave Roberts, were charged with stealing beer from a cooler from the back bar at Club 216 in downtown Charlottesville. While both are awaiting trial, Barker has started Virginia’s first three games.
Roberts also faces charges of purchasing alcohol while a minor and possession of fake identification. Both are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 6.
Reader Reactions
Why would Lalich want to stay at a school with a lousy offensive co-ordinator anyway? He has no chance to play in the NFL at a school that throws 2 yards down the field on 3rd and 8.
He should go play for a school that throws the ball, like William & Mary or even Virginia-Wise.
UVa’s team is better without him: he had never looked good in a game for UVa. Something must have been bothering him while he was at UVa. And he’s better off without the lousy QB coaching he was getting from Mike “Thanks for the job, Dad!“ Groh.
OK, underage alcohol, pot, littering, speeding, dogfighting, petty gambling, etc., are not major “crimes”. But our questionable, even controversial laws, are not always without worthy purpose. Case in point: 7 dead college kids in Ocean Isle Beach fire tragedy last year, 6 inebriated, none old enough to have been drinking. And, when unlawful activities come to the attention of law enforcement, there are often legal consequences.
It is pretty obvious that Lalich, perhaps like most of us would be, was more focused on not getting caught than on not doing a (albeit minor) unlawful thing. However, it is a fact with notoriety (good or bad) comes higher scrutiny, including minor laws. A high visibility quarterback gets the cheers and fame, but at a price: lack of practical levels of privacy.
Michael Vick missed that same point long ago. Football leaders mostly looked the other way and hoped for no big trouble. They did him no favor.
Families and the public make a huge investment in a college education. For Peter, this is a tough lesson and at a high price for fans too. But, in taking these steps, I strongly disagree that UVA has “ruined his life”. Rather, it may have helped saved his future. As a fan and Virginia, taxpayer, I hope so and truly wish him well.
So I guess there’s no accountability for anyone’s actions? The school has an honor code and I’m glad that they use it. Winning isn’t everything and Peter chose to throw away his mediocre so-called career! This isn’t the first time that he’s been in trouble and it isn’t the first time UVA has ousted a player for violating their honor code.
Even if he smoked a little weed what’s the big deal—help him get back on track. Afterall, it is only a misdemeanor - sort of like jay walking. Cetainly not something that should be allowed to ruin the kid’s life if he is able to be responsible in school and a good citizen.
This is absurd. A 20 year-old college kid has a beer and it’s news? Did he bahave badly, or get into trouble, how are his grades—was there consideration given to these issues?. Meanwhile UVA provides special parking lots where wealthy people can pay a lot of money and get liquored-up before the games.
Lalich seems like a good kid, he’s a year from being legal age and old enough to fight in Iraq. The decision seems very harsh and unfair.
UVA did the right thing! It wasn’t just underage drinking—he was smoking weed too! It’s about time these schools starting taking down these arrogant little snots who think they’re untouchable because they think they’re such a star. And this wasn’t his first offense, which only goes to show that he doesn’t learn from his mistakes.
And I’m tired of hearing about how kids can serve their country at 18 but they can’t drink until they’re 21. It’s the law; get over it! He was playing football, not fighting for his country!!!
This is very sad, but it’s hard to fault Groh. His responses have been appropriate and fair. He cannot be responsible for all the actions of his players. I would only note that there are many programs where something like this gets ignored or covered up. Credit UVA for drawing the line and following through.
yes, he did do the wrong thing but i believe that he should have not been kicked off the team suspend him for half of the season. craig littlepage should reconsider yes, uva is all about education. hey craig give the youngster another chance man…
“In court Thursday, Lalich said he realized after talking to some friends that he hadn’t used marijuana during his probation period. “
so he thought he had, said he had, but then talked to some teammates and realized that he actually had not? haha, ok.
If Lalich goes, then why shouldn’t Al Groh?
It was Al Groh who angrily admonished the media by telling them they didn’t know all of the facts? As if Groh did?
On Monday after UVa had beaten Richmond, Groh told sportswriters, “We’re here to talk about football. It’s unfortunate that some people have chosen to misrepresent the player without knowing all the facts. Those people should examine themselves.“
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