July 9, 2003

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri Department of Athletics has permanently dismissed junior defensive end Nick Tarpoff from the football team, as announced today by Director of Athletics Mike Alden.

The decision comes after Tarpoff pled guilty today for possession of an illegal weapon, which is a class C felony. University of Missouri System policy states that any student-athlete who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a felony charge, will be permanently barred from the program.

The policy reads, in part:

"If the athlete pleads guilty or is found guilty of the felony charge, such athlete shall be barred permanently from participation in intercollegiate athletics at any campus of the University of Missouri System."