Originally published Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 12:00 AM

WSU Football | Cougars cut ties with QB signee Schmidtke

Washington State quarterback signee Calvin Schmidtke of Lakes High in Tacoma has been released from his football letter of intent by the...

By Bud Withers

Seattle Times staff reporter

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ERIC KAYNE / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Calvin Schmidtke was a star at Lakes High School in Tacoma.

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Washington State quarterback signee Calvin Schmidtke of Lakes High in Tacoma has been released from his football letter of intent by the school after facing several legal issues, WSU has announced.

Schmidtke last night confirmed WSU's action, saying, "I understand the situation they're in. I knew for a couple of weeks [it was a possibility]."

Schmidtke said a report in the News Tribune of Tacoma indicating he had been cited 11 times in the past 18 months, and has faced alcohol- and drug-related charges, was accurate. The newspaper said seven of the violations were related to traffic stops.

"Obviously, what happened wasn't pleasant," Schmidtke said. "It was pretty tough. But I really think it's going to make me stronger."

Schmidtke threw for 2,724 yards and 37 touchdowns last season and was named the News Tribune's all-area co-player of the year.

Washington State has had some recent well publicized off-field scrapes. Safety Xavier Hicks is serving time in jail for an assault and the Whitman County prosecutor's office is weighing evidence against lineman Andy Roof in an alleged assault in late April.

Said new WSU coach Paul Wulff in a statement on the Schmidtke matter, "We feel this is in the best interest of both Washington State University and Calvin. We wish him well with his future endeavors."

Bud Withers: 206-464-8281 or bwithers@seattletimes.com

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