Posted at 11:56 a.m., Monday, June 25, 2007
Colleges: Penn St. disciplines 10 football players
By Genaro C. Armas
Associated Press
The university confirmed today that four players were temporary expelled from July 1 through the end of the summer semester in mid-August for their roles in the April 1 fight.
Players' names were not released due to federal confidentiality laws, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said.
Defense attorneys, however, have identified the four as safety Anthony Scirrotto, defensive lineman Chris Baker, linebacker Jerome Hayes and cornerback Lydell Sargeant. The attorneys said last week that their clients had been expelled for Penn State's second summer session but would be able to participate when preseason practice begins in early August.
The discipline is separate from any punishment coach Joe Paterno might dole out. Paterno has already ordered the entire team to perform community service this summer and clean out Beaver Stadium after each home game this fall.
Lawyers for the four players said their clients would be eligible to play when the regular season begins Sept. 1 against Florida International.
The four students temporarily expelled by the university would be eligible to return for the fall semester as long as they complete counseling and community service, the school said. They will be on permanent probation until they graduate.
Of the six remaining players, two were put on permanent probation and ordered to take counseling, while the remaining four were put on probation for a year. Each must complete community service.
The fates of Scirrotto and Baker might be decided by the time the season begins. Their trial on charges including burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault and harassment in connection with the fight is scheduled to start in August.
In a court filing last week, Scirrotto's attorney, Ronald McGlaughlin, asked a judge to dismiss the case against the safety because of a lack of evidence.
A judge dismissed charges against Hayes, Sargeant and linebacker Tyrell Sales during a preliminary hearing in May, and a prosecutor dropped charges against star cornerback Justin King just before that same hearing.
Scirrotto emerged in the secondary to lead the Big Ten last year with six interceptions as a sophomore. Baker has been a backup, but could see more playing time this season on a young defensive line.
