Peter Lalich

Infobox NCAA Athlete
name = Peter Lalich
color = #002273
fontcolor = #E65B00

---

college = Virginia
conference = ACC
sport = Football
jersey = 7
position = Quarterback
class = Sophomore
career_start = 2007
nickname = "Pistol Pete"
height_ft = 6
height_in = 5
weight_lb = 235
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1988|5|18
birth_place = USA
highschool = West Springfield High School,
Springfield, VA
championships =
championship_list =
awards =
bowl_games =
bowl_list =

Peter Todd Lalich (born May 18, 1988) (pronunciation: lah-lick) is an American football quarterback from Springfield, Virginia. He attended Fairfax County Public Schools, where he played quarterback for West Springfield High School. As a high school senior, he ranked among the top pro-style quarterback prospects in the nation.

He began attending college in 2007 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, playing with the Cavaliers. On July 21 2008, Lalich appeared in Charlottesville General District Court to face a misdemeanor charge of purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages while underage (at the age of 20). The judge put him on supervised probation, with charges to be dismissed on July 21, 2009 upon successful completion of probation. Lalich subsequently voluntarily admitted an additional incident of drinking in reporting to his probation officer in August. The probation offense was heard by the court on September 18. The judge at that time decided that Lalich was to continue on supervised probation, under all terms as previously agreed. [cite web|url=http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/uvas-quarterback-peter-lalich-faces-alcohol-charge|title=U.Va's quarterback Peter Lalich faces alcohol charge|date=2008-07-24|last=Doughty|first=Doug|publisher=Roanoke Times via hamptonroads.com|accessdate=2008-09-25] Later the same day, Lalich, a sophomore, was dismissed from UVA football program. Specifics details were not released by UVA athletic director Craig Littlepage.

Within a few days, it became apparent that Lalich would likely transfer to another school, and had several opportunities. On September 24, a Charlottesville television station reported that Lalich had agreed to enroll in classes at Oregon State University, where (due to the "quarter" system of school which starts September 29) he will be eligible to play in one year.cite web|url=http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=9062828&nav=menu496_4_1|title=Lalich Reportedly Headed to Oregon State|date=2008-09-24|accessdate=2008-09-25|publisher=NBC 29 (WVIR)|last=Wade|first=Chuck] Peter Lalich was officially enrolled at Oregon State University and began classes on September 29. Acording to news reports, he will sit out the 2008 season, and, after he completes one academic year in Corvallis, will be eligible for the 2009 season. [ http://www.charlottesvillenewsplex.tv/sports/headlines/29920289.html ]

Family

Sports is a legacy in Peter's family. His father, Todd, and his grandfather, also named Peter, played basketball at Ohio University. Peter's grandfather, who died in February 2008 at age 87, is in the Ohio's Hall of Fame. [cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/08/Hernando/He_played_pro_basketb.shtml|title=He played pro basketball when it was a second job|date=2008-02-08|last=Hayes|first=Stephanie|publisher=St. Petersburg Times|accessdate=2008-09-25] In 1945-46, Todd Lalich played professionally for the Youngstown (Ohio) Bears in a league that was considered a forerunner to the NBA. One of his teammates was Press Maravich, who later went on to coach at North Carolina State and LSU and is the father of "Pistol" Pete Maravich. "Peter was named after Pete Maravich," Todd Lalich said. "Pete Maravich died in January (1988) and Peter was born in May, later that year. Of course, my father was named Peter, too, so we covered all of the bases." [cite web|url=http://www.roanoke.com/sports/uvainsider/wb/62735|title=Groh sees silver lining in kicking situation|last=Doughty|first=Doug|publisher=Roanoke Times|date=2006-04-27|accessdate=2008-09-25]

High School

Peter Lalich began his sophomore year at West Springfield High School as the starting wide receiver before being moved to quarterback to start two games, while also appearing at quarterback in three others during the season. That season he caught 25 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 500 yards and seven touchdowns.

In his junior year, Peter threw for 2,700 yards and 22 touchdowns. Also attended the EA Sports Elite 11 Camp in California.

During Lalich's senior year he was 207-312 for 3,141 yards, 31 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Peter was named a SuperPrep All-American, PrepStar All-American, given four stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com, Rivals250, CSTV.com Top 150, Orlando Sentinel All-South, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100. He was listed as the #5 pro-style QB in the nation by Rivals.com, ranked as the nation's No. 10 quarterback by SuperPrep, No. 16 by Tom Lemming, No.17 by Scout.com and No. 18 by ESPN.com, rated the top player in the state of Virginia on the Charlottesville Daily Progress "Gold List", ranked as the state's number two player by the Roanoke Times, SuperPrep, TheSabre.com, Rivals.com and number three by Scout.com. Lalich earned second-team all-state and Washington Post All-Metro honors as a senior, also earned All-Metro honors from the Pigskin Club of Washington DC. He was the leading passer in the Washington DC metro area and threw eight touchdowns in one game which is the second highest in Virginia history.

In the East Meets West All American game in January following his senior year, Lalich was 9 of 13 for 166 yards and one touchdown while splitting time at quarterback.

College career

Peter chose to attend the University of Virginia, and joined the football program to play for the Cavaliers.

University of Virginia

Initially, he was going to be redshirted for the 2007 season but after starting quarterback Jameel Sewell struggled in the season opener at cfb link|team=Wyoming Cowboys|school=University of Wyoming|year=2007|title=Wyoming, Lalich got to see his first collegiate action with two minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. Sewell started the next game against Duke, but once again Lalich came in during the first half and split time with Sewell during the rest of the game.

Over the course of the season Lalich split time with Sewell, with Sewell taking on the role of the team's quarterback more as the season progressed. After participating in all of the team's first 4 games, Lalich played in only 3 of the last 8 contests of 2007.

Incumbent starter Jameel Sewell will not be eligible to play during the 2008 season due to his academic standing. Lalich competed with senior Scott Deke and sophomore Marc Verica for the starting quarterback position. Lalich started at quarterback against the Cavaliers' first opponent, the USC Trojans.

On July 13, 2008, Lalich was charged in Charlottesville, Virginia with unlawful purchase and possession of an alcohol, a misdemeanor. Coach Groh would not comment on the charge, and stated that any disciplinary action would be dealt with internally, within the team. Lalich's case has been continued until July 21, 2009, at which point his charges will be dropped should he avoid further trouble. [ [http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-07-24-0189.html U.Va. QB lalich Charged with Alcohol Possession] ] He also had his driver’s license suspended until Aug. 8, 2009, court records show. [ http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/sports/cavalier_insider/ci_football/article/more_charges_for_uvas_lalich/27361/ ]

On September 5, 2008, it was reported that Lalich had admitted to court officials that he drank alcohol while on supervised probation. The voluntary admission came during a regular probation interview with officials from the office of Offender Aid and Restoration/Virginia Alcohol Safety Program. Public court documents indicated that he was scheduled for a hearing on September 26 for violating his probation. [ [http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/sports/cavalier_insider/ci_football/article/more_charges_for_uvas_lalich/27361/ More charges for UVa’s Lalich] ] On September 10, 2008 it was announced through a statement from Virginia's sports information office that Lalich would not be starting in the September 13 game against University of Connecticut. [ [http://www.roanoke.com/sports/breaking/wb/176395 UVa QB Lalich won't play Saturday] ] .

At the request of Lalich's attorney, the court hearing originally scheduled for September 26 was held earlier on Thursday, September 18. Lalich admitted that he had violated the terms of his probation by consuming alcohol. The judge continued the case without new punitive action, confirming that Lalich is to continue on supervised probation. The misdemeanor charge he faces, unlawful purchase and possession of alcohol, will be dismissed if there are no more violations of his terms between now and July 21, 2009. [ http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/uvas-quarterback-peter-lalich-faces-alcohol-charge ] [cite web|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/spt_lalich_0919,0,7961835.story|title=UVa dismisses Lalich from team|date=2008-09-18|accessdate=2008-09-18|publisher=Daily Press] [ http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-09-25-0202.html ]

Later on September 18, Lalich was dismissed from the Cavaliers football team. [cite web|url=http://myespn.go.com/blogs/acc/0-2-161/UVA-QB-Lalich-off-the-team.html|title=UVA QB Lalich off the team|date=2008-09-18|accessdate=2008-09-18|publisher=ESPN] In a statement, UVA Athletic Director Craig Littlepage said, "We have supported Peter, but believe today a point has been reached where it’s best for all concerned that [Peter] no longer participate on the team. This is my decision, and it has support of head football coach Al Groh. We wish Peter the best in the future." [ http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sports.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-09-18-0231.html ]

Oregon State University

On September 24, 2008, it was reported by a Charlottesville television station that Lalich had agreed to enroll in classes at Oregon State University, where (due to the "quarter" system of school which begins September 29) he will be eligible to play in one year. Scout.com website also reported that Lalich will transfer to OSU, and confirmed that "Lalich must complete one academic year of residence, excluding summer terms, at OSU before before becoming eligible for competition." [ http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=2&c=793832 ] The Richmond "Times-Dispatch" reported that Lalich's attorney, Tim Heaphy, said that Lalich's probation supervision can be transferred to another jurisdiction. "If he moves to Oregon," said Heaphy, "he will have to be supervised by probation authorities out there." [ http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-09-25-0202.html] However, upon his return to Virginia that evening, Lalich told the Newport News "Daily Press" "I haven't decided." He said that he was evaluating all his options, and was considering Oregon State, Auburn, UCLA and Cincinnati.cite web|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt_morelalich_0925sep25,0,2812434.story|title=Lalich considers options after Oregon State trip|last=Wood|first=Norm|date=2008-09-25|accessdate=2008-09-25|publisher=Daily Press]

On September 29, WCAV television reported that Peter Lalich was officially enrolled at Oregon State University and had begun classes. He will sit out the 2008 season, and, after he completes one academic year in Corvallis, will be eligible for the 2009 season. [ http://www.charlottesvillenewsplex.tv/sports/headlines/29920289.html ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88799&SPID=10606&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=1150139&Q_SEASON=2007 Player bio on UVA website]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=236669 Player card on ESPN]