USF coach Stan Heath has suspended sophomores Mike Burwell and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick for the first game of the Pan American University Championships in Brazil in August as punishment for their misdemeanor arrests for obtaining food with intent to defraud.
The players, who police said walked out on a $29.91 food bill at the Village Inn located at 215 N. Dale Mabry Highway on May 13, had their case resolved in court Monday. Each had to pay $245 in court fees and must perform community service as part of a pre-trial intervention program to have the charges dropped, Heath said Wednesday.
“They’re embarrassed they let me down,” Heath said. “I understand they’re kids and make mistakes, (but) you have a responsibility as a USF student-athlete.”
Fitzpatrick, a 6-foot-8 forward from King High School in Tampa, started 22 games last year, averaging 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds and hit the game-tying 3 as time expired in USF’s overtime win against Providence on Jan. 23. Both are expected to be a part of USF’s regular rotation next year.
