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Irvin Won’t Appeal Performance Enhancing Drug Suspension
Kerri Kosten
Former WVU standout Bruce Irvin was suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy.
Irvin said he will not appeal the suspension.
“I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption,” Irvin said in a statement released by the Seahawks.
“I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions. I will not appeal the discipline and instead will focus my energy on preparing for the season so I can begin earning your trust and respect again. I look forward to contributing to the team the moment I return.”
Irvin was the 15thoverall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. He had a promising rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks, registering eight sacks. The Seahawks made it to the NFC Divisional playoffs.
Irvin can participate in offseason and preseason workouts, but is prohibited to practice with the team through the first four weeks of the regular season.
Irvin posted the following message on his Twitter account:
“I messed up and I feel so bad and have been depressed for weeks now,” Irvin said. “I’ve had sleepless nights because I knew when this came out, I would let so many people down, including myself. … West Virginia, I love u always and know you have my back and always will.”
McCartney Returning To Mountaineers
Kerri Kosten
Former WVU wide receiver Ivan McCartney is returning to WVU for his senior season and is hoping to rejoin the Mountaineer football team. He left last November, after the eighth game of the 2012 season. Head coach Dana Holgorsen said McCartney quit for “personal reasons.”
McCartney was a former four-star recruit who had a promising sophomore season in 2011 with 49 catches for 595 yards.
However, he was not able to get much playing time last season behind standouts Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, and J.D. Woods. He caught just nine passes for 112 yards.
On Saturday, a Twitter follower asked McCartney if he would still wear the No. 5 jersey. McCartney replied “idk Yet.”
Brett Morris Joining Mountaineers As Invited Walk-On
Kerri Kosten
Brett Morris will be joining the Men’s Basketball team in 2013 as a preferred walk-on.
Morris is a 6-foot-4 guard who played at Class AA Webster County. He averaged 25.9 points and 9.4 rebounds last season as a senior. He played all five positions. Webster County finished the season with a 18-4 record.
Morris did not receive any Division I offers. He received offers from Division II programs such as Shepherd, Fairmont State, Davis and Elkins, Glenville State, and West Virginia Wesleyan. However, Morris has dreamed of playing for the Mountaineers and head coach Bob Huggins. So, instead of taking one of those offers, he decided to accept a walk-on invite by Huggins.
“All the D-II schools said I’d definitely have a chance to get playing time next year,” Morris said. “But I grew up a huge West Virginia fan and the chance to play for Coach Huggins is something I’ve dreamed about.”
“I’ve always wanted to play there, ever since I was a little kid, and I wanted to be a part of something in Morgantown,” he said.
“Coach Huggins just told me do my work in the weight room, be the first one in the gym and the last one out, and you’ll get your chance to play,” said Morris.
“In our community, I know there will be a lot of eyes on me, watching to see if I work hard. I’ve heard it can inspire a lot of kids, because if you can come from Webster County to play at a place like WVU, you can do it from anywhere.”
Shady Spring’s Chase Connor is the other invited walk-on.
Reaves Returning As Assistnat
Kerri Kosten
Sharrona Reaves will be returning as an assistant coach on the WVU Women’s Basketball team. She was previously an assistant, as well as the recruiting coordinator for the Mountaineers from 2003-06. She put together two top-20 recruiting classes, including the signing of standout Olayinka Sanni.
During Reaves’ previous stint with the Mountaineers, they reached the NCAA tournament in 2004 for the first time in 12 years. In 2005, they reached the WNIT finals. In 2006, they made it to the finals of the Big East tournament.
After leaving WVU in 2006, Reaves became the head coach at division II Long Island University C. W. As the head coach, she led Long Island C. W. to two consecutive winning seasons in 2007 and 2008.
From 2008-10, Reaves served as the recruiting coordinator and assistant on the Mississippi State women’s staff. While there, she helped guide the Lady Bulldogs to the second round of the 2009 NCAA tournament. In 2010, she helped lead them to their first Sweet 16 appearance.
After her time at Mississippi State, Reaves left coaching for a short time to become the compliance coordinator at Alabama State University.
Reaves spent last season as the head coach at the College of Central Florida.
“We’re excited to have Sharrona back with the Mountaineer family,” said head Women’s Basketball coach Mike Carey in a WVU release. “Our program experienced a lot of success the first time Sharrona was a part of our staff, and I have no doubt she will bring knowledge and experience she has gained since, back to the program.”
“I want to thank coach Carey, Oliver Luck and Terri Howes for the opportunity to help with the women’s basketball program at WVU,” said Reaves. “I’m really excited about coming back.”
Rawlins To Transfer
Kerri Kosten
WVU freshman quarterback Chavas Rawlins is planning to transfer just five months after enrolling at WVU.
Rawlins is a dueul-threat quarterback from Monessen, PA. He was a three-star recruit by recruiting service Rivals. He was the only quarterback who signed in the 2013 class.
Though Rawlins was the only quarterback to sign in the class, the Mountaineers have since added Florida State transfer Clint Trickett and received a 2014 commitment from 4-star quarterback William Crest.
Rawlins did not play in the Gold-Blue spring game since he was behind junior Paul Millard and redshirt freshman Ford Childress.
Rawlins will have to sit out next season under the NCAA’s transfer rule.