Marion permanently suspended

The University of Iowa has announced that sophomore 141-pound NCAA finalist Montell Marion would be permanently suspended from activities relating to Hawkeye wrestling after being arrested for Operating While Intoxicated, First Offense (classified as a serious misdemeanor) by UI Department of Public Safety early Tuesday morning.

Associate Athletic Director for Student Services Fred Mims said Iowa's athletics department would support a transfer pursuant to the NCAA's one-time transfer policy if Marion decided to transfer to another NCAA institution.

"Due to Montell's recent and previous violations of our student-athlete code of conduct, we have no choice at this point but to remove him from the Iowa wrestling program," Mims said in a release. "It is very unfortunate. Montell has demonstrated great potential as a student and a student-athlete. He is someone the program will miss greatly. We all hope he is able to overcome this situation and find success in whatever he decides to do."

When asked if members of the coaching staff would be available for comment, Assistant Sports Information Director Traci Wagner said that the Mims statement would be the only one available.

After two messages were left with Marion on Wednesday afternoon, his father, Lydell Marion, called with a statement on his son's ¤behalf.

"My son appreciates the university (of Iowa)," said Lydell Marion, suggesting calls on the matter be directed to him "He would like to maintain his status at the university and he needs to work toward doing that. This university, I believe, will give him that opportunity."

Lydell Marion said Montell should assess the recent events.

"Right now, I'd like to just have my son take a look at his situation in terms of what happened," Lydell Marion said. "We need to evaluate this, and that needs to take place first."

Marion has had at least two other legal issues, dating back to a charge of willful injury – causing serious injury on April 25, 2005 in Des Moines that was transferred to a juvenile court. Marion also was charged with public intoxication for an incident in 2008.

According to University of Iowa Department of Public Safety documents, University of Iowa NCAA finalist wrestler Montell Marion was arrested at 2:16 a.m. Tuesday and charged with operating while intoxicated (1st offense), which is listed in police report as a serious misdemeanor. Marion, who turned 22 Monday, was witnessed driving down Washington from Clinton Streets, which is relegated to bus and bike traffic only, according to the police report. It also states that Marion failed to use a turn signal at the intersection of Washington and Madison. The car allegedly had no front license plate as well.

The arresting officer detected alcohol on Marion, who admitting to drinking. Marion then was asked to undergo sobriety tests, which he repeatedly failed according to the arresting officer's report. Marion then submitted a breath test which resulted in a .151 blood alcohol content – almost twice the legal limit of .08 in Iowa. Read the official arrest report.

Marion claimed the 141-pound spot this season in the midst of a battle with national qualifier Dan LeClere and 2008 NCAA 133-pound runner-up Joey Slaton, who was declared ineligible due to academic issues. marion placed third in the Big Ten and was impressive making a run to the NCAA finals finishing second to Cornell's Kyle Dake. Marion was 37-9 in two seasons at Iowa, going 27-6 this year.

Marion was the 35th 4-time state finalist in Iowa history, reaching the finals three times and winning the Class 3A  119-pound title at West Des Moines Valley in 2005 before transferring to Des Moines Roosevelt, where he won the 130-pound title in 2006.