Posted on: Saturday, August 23, 2003

Nebraska's Tagoa'i dismissed from team

Advertiser News Services

Nebraska offensive lineman Junior Tagoa'i, a former Saint Louis School standout, was dismissed from the team yesterday, the same day he was sentenced to 21 days in jail for hitting his girlfriend while she was holding their infant child in April.

"I have met with Junior and have informed him that he will not be allowed to return to the team," Cornhuskers coach Frank Solich said following the afternoon court hearing in Lincoln, where Tagoa'i was sentenced.

Tagoa'i, who will begin serving his sentence Tuesday, also was fined $500 for the assault on his girlfriend, and $350 after being found in contempt of court for making an obscene gesture in court at an earlier hearing.

Tagoa'i's attorney, Chris Eickholt of the county public defender's office, did not comment on whether an appeal would be filed.

Tagoa'i, a 6-foot-2, 300-pounder from Hau'ula, Hawai'i, was listed No. 1 at right guard on the Cornhuskers' depth chart following spring practice. Because of his suspension, Tagoa'i was not allowed to report to preseason camp, which started Aug. 5.

He is not listed on the depth chart that was released before fall camp and he is not included in the media guide.

Tagoa'i, 22, told Lancaster County Judge Gale Pokorny he was working to deal with his problems.

"I made these mistakes and I don't know what caused them," Tagoa'i told the judge. "I just really am trying to work things out with myself."