The school decided today to suspend Ralphy Holmes for the entire season according
to sources. Holmes, who was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run earlier this
month, will not be able to play until the 2004-05 season.
Holmes had numerous backers on campus, including numerous professors and high-ranking
administrators, but the ultimate decision was made by the school president
Milton Gordon. The pro-Ralphy contingent thought a semester suspension was
more than adequate for a misdemeanor crime but this was not the case. The
irony is junior Ralphy Holmes was in excellent academic standing -- just 20 units
shy
of graduating. CSF has been telling supporters for some time graduating basketball players was a high priority but this suspension appears to have hindered this policy.
Holmes, who was a first- team All-Big West Conference selection, averaged
17.4 points and 6.2 rebounds a game for the low-scoring Titans.His explosiveness
and energy on the floor made him a crowd favorite.