Washington State dismisses football players

When Washington State released its 2009 football roster Saturday, some familiar names missing, including defensive back Devin Giles and...

By The Spokesman-Review

PULLMAN — When Washington State released its 2009 football roster Saturday, some familiar names missing, including defensive back Devin Giles and wide receiver Michael Willis.

"They were dismissed for a violation of team rules," coach Paul Wulff said.

The seniors join defensive back Romeo Pellum, who was dismissed last spring, as expected contributors who won't be back.

Willis was arrested and charged with DUI in Pullman last spring, though Wulff said the incident was only "one of many factors" in the decision. Giles has skipped spring football the past two years while battling academic problems. But Wulff said academic shortcomings weren't the sole basis of his dismissal.

Two other defensive backs, sophomore Tyree Toomer and redshirt freshman LeAndre Daniels, were arrested in early June in connection with bicycle theft. Wulff said those two have team-related discipline to finish but are no longer suspended from team activities.

Notes

• Washington forward Quincy Pondexter was scoreless in seven minutes as Team USA beat Israel 91-80 to win the bronze medal at the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia. On his Twitter page, Pondexter said he sprained his ankle during Friday's semifinal loss to Russia.

• Seattle's Dave Villwock and Steve David won their respective elimination heats before hydroplane racing was suspended by high winds at the 100th APBA Gold Cup in Detroit.

Compiled from sports-information reports.

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Comments (13)

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Yet Xavier Hicks is still on the team after 5 arrests in 4 years...Really? Posted on July 12, 2009 at 1:24 PM by gocougs65. Jump to comment

Willis and Giles are dismissed from the team, but Hicks is not. What is the difference between those 2 and Hicks: Hicks was a starter and was... Posted on July 12, 2009 at 1:27 PM by srkboy23. Jump to comment

Coach Wulff did the right thing. Personal character is far and above more valuable than a game (and I'm a huge football fan). Go Cougs! Posted on July 12, 2009 at 10:23 AM by mauicoug. Jump to comment

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