Pitrucha path just took another turn

Pitrucha path just took another turn

Topic Author: Mark Van Paasschen

Posted: 5:00 PM Jul 17, 2008

Replies Posted: 3 comments

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Pitrucha path just took another turn

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Pitrucha path just took another turn

Maybe it's not that big a deal. I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know for sure. But, from a layman's standpoint the news that SOSU quarterback Justin Pitrucha had his preliminary hearing conference pushed back 3 more weeks doesn't seem bode well for his chances of being back on the team for the start of the football season.

His conference was rescheduled from today to August 7th, which, amazingly enough is also the first day of football practice for the Savage Storm. Coach Richards was very firm last week when he explained that there is a "plan in place" for Pitrucha to follow if he wants to try to return to the team. If Pitrucha is serious about following that plan, today's rescheduling seems to be a step in the wrong direction.

I'm not sure if a plea agreement is in the works or not. If the sides are discussing one, then all bets are off. However, it just seems to me that it will be awfully hard for the suspended QB to be in court on the morning of SOSU's first practice if he plans to be on the team.

Coach Richards didn't layout a timetable for the "plan in place," so there is a chance that Pitrucha could rejoin the team even after the season is already underway, but I really had the gut feeling that he was going to be on the field for that first practice. Now, with this morning's postponement it doesn't appear that is possible anymore, but I could be wrong.

Regardless, I sincerely hope Justin is getting some good advice from his family and his lawyers and is doing what he thinks is the best thing for him, whether that involves trying to work his way back onto the SOSU football team, or not.

Mark Van Paasschen

KXII Sports

Posted by: JD Location: Kingston
As a SOSU Alumni and supporter of high school athletic programs, I applaud SOSU for not taking this young man back on the team. Too many of our local high school students look up to college athletes. While these players don't ask for that scrutiny, it is there. Justin Pitrucha was sending a message that if you act contrite and jump through hoops, all will be forgiven and you get your life back. The high school (and younger) athletes need to realize this doesn't happen to everybody and don't need this kind of role model. For once, SOSU is doing the right thing. Too bad they didn't stand up to the NCAA over the mascot/team name.

Posted by: andy Location: texoma
I agree with Larry. Let Justin get his act together the next year and see how his progress comes along. Then look at re instating him on the team. No one forced him to make the poor choices he made. Now, hopefully, he has seen the errors in his ways and will get on the right track and help others stay straight. Time will tell if he will be a Savage Storm player or just an ex player.

Posted by: Larry Location: Gainesville
From my perspective, a young man has pled guilty via a plea agreement for DRUG charges. I'm disappointed in the KXII sports department because they are putting the "maybe he can get back to the team as soon as possible" spin on the story. If I were his coach or a member of the SOSU athletic department, I would suspend this guy for at least a year before considering re-instatement. He has not only embarrassed himself, but the schoool and community that supports SOSU. It's been said that a picture can tell a thousand words. Just look at Pitrucha's mug shot. Does this look like a poor innocent young man that has just made a mistake?