BLACKSBURG, Va – Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick’s legal problems will cost him the upcoming football season.

The university suspended Vick, 20, through the end of the fall 2004 semester, saying the action was taken because of Vick’s conviction in May and an arrest last month.

Athletic director Jim Weaver said this week that he told Vick that any further criminal, athletic or university violations will result in Vick’s permanent dismissal from Virginia Tech sports. “This action also gives Marcus a chance to right himself. Fundamentally, he’s a good person and we want to see him succeed,” he said.

The suspension “is a stiff penalty,” Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said in a statement. “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.”

Vick, brother of Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick, was convicted in May on three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after he and two teammates gave alcohol to 14- and 15-year-old girls at the players’ apartment. Vick was acquitted of a charge of having sex with one of the girls and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $2,250.

Vick was arrested last month on charges of reckless driving and marijuana possession after an early morning traffic stop on Interstate 64.

The university said Vick’s re-admitttance to the school is contingent upon completion of a drug addiction and counseling program.

Vick was expected to challenge senior Bryan Randall for quarterback this season after the two shared the job last season.