Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick has been suspended from the university through the end of the fall 2004 semester, school officials announced this morning.

After that, he will incur an additional year of "deferred suspension" where any new disciplinary action and conviction would trigger automatic suspension from the university.

Athletic director Jim Weaver has also informed Vick that any further violations, either criminal, university judicial, or of athletic policy, will result in permanent dismissal from Tech athletics, according to the university's statement.

A return to the university is also contingent upon Vick’s successful completion of a formal drug education and counseling program, the statement said.

The suspension was related to Vick's continued off-the-field problems since the end of last year.

Vick was charged with reckless driving and possession of marijuana early last month, seven weeks after he and two teammates were convicted of contributing to the delinquency of three underage girls. That conviction has been appealed.

"I concur with the actions of the university judicial system," Tech President Charles Steger said, "This is a stiff penalty. Vick won’t play this year and loses that year of eligibility. If there is any more trouble, his Virginia Tech career is effectively ended. But just as important, this offers a compassionate, last chance opportunity for Vick to get his personal life in order."

Statement from Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick on his suspension from the university:

Let me start by apologizing to my mom, my sisters, my older brother Michael, Coach Reamon [Vick's high school coach] and all of the people here in Newport News who have always been by my side. I have hurt them deeply. They have all expressed their dissatisfaction with me, and to all of them, I would like to say I am truly sorry.

Next, I'd like to apologize to my second family: Coach Beamer, his assistants, my teammates, my university and to all of the great Virginia Tech fans.

It is now clear to me that I hurt many people. I am very sorry. I want to be a member of Virginia Tech's football program and I want to be a member of the university.

I will work hard to improve myself as a person. I want to bring pride to the Hokies. I want to bring pride to the Vick name. I want to bring pride to the state of Virginia. I am asking that Virginia Tech, and the other people who care about me, NOT give up on me.

The only person I have to blame is myself. The only person who can fix this is myself.

The university Judicial System has taken action ... and I am immediately suspended from the university extending through the fall 2004 semester.

I need to take this time to get my life back in order. I plan to meet all the stipulations of the university, the athletics department and the football program and return to Virginia Tech as both a student and an athlete next semester.

Again, I am truly sorry for hurting so many people.