FSU star linebacker suspended after arrest

Thursday, July 7, 2005 | 9:55 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

Florida State junior linebacker Ernie Sims, a preseason candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's best defensive player, was arrested Wednesday on charges of battery and resisting an officer without violence.

"Our athletic department discipline policy for a misdemeanor goes into effect with Ernie and he will be subject to that until I have all the facts," coach Bobby Bowden said in a statement.

That means he's automatically suspended, but Sims' status for the Sept. 5 opener against Miami will rest in the hands of Bowden and athletic director Dave Hart. A player facing a felony cannot represent the school, absent extraordinary circumstances, until the charge is resolved and all court, university and athletic department conditions for reinstatement have been met.

Tallahassee attorney Henry Hunter, hired to represent Sims, said the Tallahassee Police Department incident report is rife with errors and is confident the State Attorney's Office will see that before the Aug. 2 arraignment date.

"Once it's looked at real closely, I expect the case to be resolved immediately and favorably," Hunter said.

He agreed to a five-year contract and officially will start his new job July 18, university president Stephen L. Weber said.

San Diego State had losing teams in its five major sports the past year -- football, men's basketball, baseball, women's basketball and softball.

Football coach Tom Craft is 14-22 in three seasons.

"The expectations to succeed will be there," Schemmel said of the football team. "What we hope for is that Tom has a breakout year, we go to a bowl game and everyone is excited and happy."