College Bowls 2000


	BOWL HISTORY\| MESSAGE BOARD

Minnis failed to complete requirements
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- One minute, Marvin Minnis is Florida State's All-American wide receiver, playing for another national championship. The next, he's out of school and off the team for failing three of four classes this semester.

"It's disappointing when a young person falls short," Florida State academic adviser Mark Meleney said Thursday. "I think we all feel like we failed a little bit."

Although Minnis, a fifth-year senior, met NCAA eligibility requirements, Florida State requires athletes to meet additional standards. By falling short in three classes, Minnis didn't keep his cumulative grade-point average above the school-required 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Minnis, who caught 63 passes for 1,340 yards and 11 touchdowns, was Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke's favorite target. The third-ranked Seminoles (11-1) play No. 1 Oklahoma (12-0) in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3.

Minnis took his finals earlier this month, then walked through graduation ceremonies last Saturday. Grades were posted Tuesday and, under school rules, Minnis was dismissed.

He remains nine hours short of a degree in criminology, and will have to do correspondence work, then apply for readmission at Florida State.

Meleney met Wednesday with Minnis and later spoke with the player's mother and uncle about getting the receiver back in school to earn his degree.

"It's always been a goal of his and an extreme priority to his family as well," Meleney said. "It has been since the day he walked in the door."

Minnis, who took over for former All-American teammate Peter Warrick, was among some 285 athletes tutored at Florida State during the last semester by a paid team of approximately 35 people, mostly graduate students.

Javon Walker, Nick Maddox and Talman Gardner are among those likely to see more playing time in Minnis' absence.

Minnis will still be able play next month in the Senior Bowl at Mobile, Ala., where NFL scouts evaluate college talent for the draft.

When the news hit Wednesday, Weinke called it a "shock to the whole team."

"We'll just have to regroup offensively and we will call on some guys to step up and make the plays that he would have," he said.

Athletics director Dave Hart said Minnis would not accompany the team to the bowl game in Miami, the player's hometown.

Florida State is playing in its third straight national game and its fourth in five years. The Seminoles won national championships in 1993 and 1999.

Offensive Coordinator Mark Richt on how Snoop Minnis ineligibility will effect FSU's preparation for the Orange Bowl.: wav 243 k Real 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

How will Snoop Minnis' absence affect the Seminoles? Mel Kiper Jr. answers.: wav 313 k Real 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

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