Embattled Lalich removed from Cavs

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.