Former CMU tight end Joe Sawicki sentenced to 12 months probation following April arrest

Joe Sawicki

Former Central Michigan tight end Joe Sawicki was sentenced to 12 months probation and $1,000 in fines and court costs Wednesday following his April arrest on campus.

Sawicki, appearing before judge Mark Duthie in Isabella County Trial Court, said very little, instead opting to have his attorney Peter Samouris do much of the talking.

Samouris told Duthie that Sawicki had “ample family support” — both of Sawicki’s parents made the drive from suburban Chicago for their son’s sentencing — and has a plan charted out.

“They (the family) still has faith and confidence in him living a positive life,” Samouris said. ” … When he tells me he’s done with it (drugs), I believe it.”

Sawicki was arrested by CMU police on April 17 following a month-long investigation in which police found mushrooms containing the narcotic psilocybin growing in his Celani Hall residence. He was charged with delivery and manufacturing of narcotics, possession of narcotics and maintaining a drug house and plead guilty to each count under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.

Under the provision, the crime can be dismissed and cleared from Sawicki’s record as long as he completes all of his probation requirements.

Stuart Black, senior assistant prosecutor, recommended Sawicki undergo a drug screening program and serve possible jail time at a later date. Duthie ordered Sawicki to undergo a substance abuse screening within the first 30 days of probation and serve 104 hours of community service.

He said he would mandate a 30-day jail sentence — with one day served already credited — if Sawicki violates his probation.

Sawicki said he plans to return to Illinois with his family for the summer, where he currently has a job. He hopes to continue playing football — “a couple of schools are interested,” including Eastern Michigan, he said — while pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.

He, along with teammates Austin White and Danel Harris, were kicked off the CMU football team by head coach Dan Enos in April.

“This was a big blow for your family,” Duthie said. “I’m more concerned about school. While football is nice, your education is more important — and that’s what you should be focused on.”