Pope out?

[elonpride]

Word is Pope is out for violating team rules.....does anyone have any info?

[elonpuckhog]

Please see the Elon only section

[soconf]

Somebody has put the newspaper story up on the ASU message board.

[laserlips]

If it's true that Pope is out you Elon fans certainly have my sympathy... Here at GSU we've certainly had our share of misery lately, but I get no pleasure in the misfortunes of another SOCON team.

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

[elon_phan]

Here is the newspaper article...

Academic suspension ends Elon QB's career
By Adam Smith and Bob Sutton / Times-News
May 3, 2007 3:00 AM

ELON — Quarterback Wes Pope, who developed into the face of the Elon University football team and became a beloved figure among the campus community, has been suspended from school for the 2007 fall semester due to an academic honor code violation.

The sanctions will render him ineligible to compete for the Phoenix during the approaching season. And because the fourth-year junior took a medical redshirt year in 2003, this means his college playing career is finished.

Dan Anderson, director of university relations, said Wednesday that Pope plans to re-enroll at Elon for winter term and spring semester of 2008 to complete his double major degree requirements in exercise sport science and psychology.

Pope, who led the Southern Conference in passing last season, remains enrolled at Elon, Anderson said. The school’s spring semester classes end next week on Tuesday.

Anderson said Pope’s case passed through the judicial process connected with Elon’s honor code system. Elon’s student handbook guidelines prohibit lying, cheating, plagiarism, stealing, violating others’ property and facilitating others’ dishonesty.

“As a result of a decision I made recently, I violated the academic honor code of Elon University,” Pope said in a statement released by the school. “My decision has disappointed my family, friends, teammates, coaches and others at the university. For that, I apologize.

“I understand that academic integrity is paramount at Elon University and my decision compromised that integrity. As a result, I respect the university’s decision to suspend me for the fall of 2007.”

Pope has been recognized on numerous occasions for high academic achievement in college, including a spot on the athletics director’s honor roll for fall 2006 with at least a 3.0 grade point average.

On the field, he thrived during last season’s return to the quarterback position and produced school-record statistics while directing coach Pete Lembo’s new offensive scheme.

His name surfaced unsolicited with somewhat alarming regularity in interviews with other Elon players, especially when the conversation touched on such topics as leadership, proper work ethic or steadfastly coping with adversity.

Lembo called Pope a great person, a loyal teammate and an excellent student. The coach said Pope made a mistake and was honest about it.

“We have to remember that we’re dealing with 18- to 22-year-olds,” Lembo said Wednesday, “and even the best kids are not perfect.”

Pope arrived on Elon’s campus as one of this state’s more accomplished prep quarterbacks. He established a sparkling football résumé at Ragsdale High School.

He received only one starting quarterback assignment prior to last season, though, a situation that largely resulted from former Elon coach Paul Hamilton’s preference to use his son at the position.

Pope, citing his religious faith and willingness to do the right thing for the program, lined up at punter, safety, linebacker, fullback and tight end during that period. And so before 2006, his college football journey had been an odyssey of uncertainty.

“My integrity is important to me,” Pope said in the statement. “I have provided leadership at Elon University for the past four years — on and off the football field. I will learn from this unfortunate situation and use this adversity, along with the leadership skills I have developed, to improve my integrity for the future.”

Pope threw for an Elon single-season record 2,572 yards last season as the Phoenix compiled a 5-6 record, the school’s best mark since 2000.

He tossed a school single-season record 228 completions and his 16 touchdown passes marked the most for an Elon player since 1973.

Pope’s suspension and subsequent unavailability likely leaves next season’s quarterback race as a battle between Donny Kirby, who will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, and Eastern Randolph High School standout Scott Riddle, an incoming freshman.

Lembo said he didn’t consider it an appropriate juncture to talk about what lies in the future for Elon’s quarterback position.

“Obviously I will do so at the right time,” Lembo said. “But right now my focus is on Wes. I’m just concerned about helping him get through this challenging time.”

It registers as another academic casualty for the Elon football program. The Phoenix lost seven key players to substandard grades in 2005.

[eloncrow]

So, how do I see the "Elon Only" section?

After painfully checking the old elonfans.com site for the last couple of months and getting nothing but a blank screen, I've finally found my way over here. I'm in need of a big Elon sports fix! I'm so glad that there's still somewhere to go to talk Elon sports. The site looks great. Too bad to hear about Pope's suspension, but I think we're awfully talented in the QB area even without Pope. Between Kirby and Riddle, we should have the makings for a great QB, although it will take a little time for them to develop.

[elonpuckhog]

To access the elon only section, send elonfirefighter a PM

[yosef84]

I was sorry to read about Pope's suspension. From what I understand, Elon has a couple of talented young QB's who will likely rise to the occassion, though. I hope that's the case! I believe that Elon is on the verge of taking a major step forward. You have an excellent coach, and had a good recruiting year. This is a setback, but I think you guys will continue to improve.

Good luck with your 2007 season!

Greg

[elonfirefighter]

thanks sosef84 i think we should do ok, we do have some great potential talent, and i stand fully behind this coach. This will show what our team is made of. Every team has there problems but its the great ones that overcome them

[yosef84]

admin said:

thanks sosef84 i think we should do ok, we do have some great potential talent, and i stand fully behind this coach. This will show what our team is made of. Every team has there problems but its the great ones that overcome them

I agree with you, and I think that Lembo is a quality coach. He knows how to win in an environment where standards must be maintained. I think that his leadership will sustain an upward trend for the Phoenix even with the loss of Pope and the graduation of Nkang.

When Hamilton was hired at Elon, I really thought that he would be a good coach. Since he was an App alumnus, I wanted to see him do well. What a disappointment! It does appear that Elon is committed to developing a quality program, and I think that benefits everyone in the SoCon.

Greg

[soconf]

Of course in this instance Lembo had no choice since Pope was suspended by the school.