Gamecocks' Garcia, 2 other players charged

[scunyon]

Gamecocks' Garcia, 2 other players charged
By Joe Person - The State

South Carolina freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia is in trouble again.

Garcia, 20, was one of three players cited and charged with underage drinking after police found them with coolers of beer outside East Quad dormitory at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the first of two incidents involving Garcia at the dorm in a five-hour span that night.

Garcia, offensive lineman Heath Batchelor and walk-on quarterback Zac Brindise were cited for underage drinking by police responding to students' complaints of loud noise in the courtyard between the East and South Quad dormitories, according to USC spokesman Russ McKinney.

Gary Garcia, 25, the quarterback’s older brother, is charged with transferring beer to a minor, according to the tickets issued by campus police.

Stephen Garcia paid a fine of $257.50 in Columbia magistrate’s court today on the underage drinking charge, according to his attorney, Neal Lourie. Garcia’s license will be suspended for four months, but he will be able to drive his moped, Lourie said.

“He did not want to request a jury trial. He did not want to put the university, his teammates, the fans through an unnecessary, long, drawn-out process,” Lourie said. “He just wanted to get it over with (and) take responsibility.”

Batchelor, 20, and Brindise, 19, are scheduled to appear in court next month.

McKinney said all three players would go through the university’s student disciplinary system.

Less than five hours later after the underage citation, officers interviewed Garcia again after police and the Columbia fire department responded to a fire alarm at the dorm at 11 p.m. Authorities discovered an extinguisher had been discharged on the third floor of the dorm.

Garcia told police he discharged the extinguisher after noticing sparks coming from his stove, according to the incident report. Garcia is listed as a suspect on the report, but has not been charged. McKinney said the incident remains under investigation.

Garcia, a highly touted righthander from Lutz, Fla., was suspended for spring practice last year after being arrested twice in two weeks shortly after arriving on campus. He completed the state’s pretrial intervention program to have two of the charges expunged from his record. A third charge was dropped.

Under USC athletic department policy, athletes who are arrested face automatic suspensions. It is unclear whether the same discipline applies to athletes issued citations by police.

USC media relations director Steve Fink said Garcia is scheduled to sit out tonight’s spring practice for missing classes this semester.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier attended a former teammate’s funeral in Florida today, but is expected to be at this evening’s practice.


SOS is going to absolutely flip. Garcia won't be on the field again this season. Looks like it will be a battle between Smelley and Beecher.

[azamugg]

come on Scunyon, you can go get their records and make them go away :)

[Tider27]

His brother is Gary Garcia?! :blink:

[scunyon]

come on Scunyon, you can go get their records and make them go away :)

Ya know, if I could I might try for a kid who didn't come across as a guy who gets into and out of trouble so much that it doesn't phase them in the least. I'm beginning to wonder just how much he really got into before he came to USCe.:dry:

[reese]

does any of the SC fans think that he might be kicked off the team for this? i really dont kno how strict spurrier is when it comes to stuff like this

[timNem]

I wonder how many college students could be arrested for this at any place, anytime?

[BAMAPERRY]

Defensive lineman Luther Davis was back with Alabama's football team. Davis was dressed and participating in practice. Alabama coach Nick Saban cited "personal reasons" as why Davis was not with the team at the start of spring. Whatever was up with Davis apparently has been resolved and he wants to play football. He was in a red jersey, meaning he's cleared immediately for contact.

- Linebacker Zeke Knight did wear a black, no-contact jersey ... BUT he also wore pads today and was with teammates at the start of practice. Knight, who has a history of heart trouble, was hospitalized in January after growing dizzy during an offseason workout. He was subsequently held out of the Tide's offseason program. If he has indeed been cleared to participate, it was be a HUGE boost for a depth-depleted linebacking corps.

I'll have more on these issues later or in tomorrow's Press-Register

[Tider27]

I wonder how many college students could be arrested for this at any place, anytime?

On any given night? About 2K+. On a Alabama football Saturday in the fall...there is no telling. :blink:

[gatoraus]

I wonder how many college students could be arrested for this at any place, anytime?

I agree, Tim. He just needs to quit being a dumbass and not drink out in the open. I feel like he still is at two strikes in my book, with the bar fight and vandalism. Spurrier needs to pull him aside and tell him one more stunt like this and his ass is gone.

[OleMissPike]

I wonder how many college students could be arrested for this at any place, anytime?

Seriously, it's such a BS citation. You can get shot at in the military at age 18, but alcohol is dangerous, so you can't drink it until 21. What the deuce?

[Tider27]

Defensive lineman Luther Davis was back with Alabama's football team. Davis was dressed and participating in practice. Alabama coach Nick Saban cited "personal reasons" as why Davis was not with the team at the start of spring. Whatever was up with Davis apparently has been resolved and he wants to play football. He was in a red jersey, meaning he's cleared immediately for contact.

- Linebacker Zeke Knight did wear a black, no-contact jersey ... BUT he also wore pads today and was with teammates at the start of practice. Knight, who has a history of heart trouble, was hospitalized in January after growing dizzy during an offseason workout. He was subsequently held out of the Tide's offseason program. If he has indeed been cleared to participate, it was be a HUGE boost for a depth-depleted linebacking corps.

I'll have more on these issues later or in tomorrow's Press-Register


BP where did you get that from? Pretty good news...

[azamugg]

Defensive lineman Luther Davis was back with Alabama's football team. Davis was dressed and participating in practice. Alabama coach Nick Saban cited "personal reasons" as why Davis was not with the team at the start of spring. Whatever was up with Davis apparently has been resolved and he wants to play football. He was in a red jersey, meaning he's cleared immediately for contact.
- Linebacker Zeke Knight did wear a black, no-contact jersey ... BUT he also wore pads today and was with teammates at the start of practice. Knight, who has a history of heart trouble, was hospitalized in January after growing dizzy during an offseason workout. He was subsequently held out of the Tide's offseason program. If he has indeed been cleared to participate, it was be a HUGE boost for a depth-depleted linebacking corps.

I'll have more on these issues later or in tomorrow's Press-Register



thank God!! I had heard it wasnt looking like he was coming back, that will be huge..........

[BAMAPERRY]

The Bama Beat - al.com (http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/)

[Cockfan720]

does any of the SC fans think that he might be kicked off the team for this? i really dont kno how strict spurrier is when it comes to stuff like this

The last time Garcia got in trouble Spurrier said that this was his last chance...Now I know this isn't really a serious crime or anything, but I've been hearing from people that Garcia has done the minimal amount of work needed to get by this offseason and that Smelley has done everything he's been asked.

It wouldn't hurt my feelings to see him gone. This kind of crap pisses me off. I wouldn't mind if this was his first offense....but this is his THIRD!!!! Glad it's not during the season. It would be a disaster. Spurrier definately needs to punish him though...we'll see

[GTmorris1970]

Ok. Here is the latest.

1. The university will remove Garcia from campus housing next week. He is also suspended for summer semester, and must return to Tampa this summer. Lastly, they require him to go to alcohol counseling.

2. Hyman, the AD, has suspended Garcia until August 15th.

3. He still hasn't met with Spurrier from my understanding.

HE IS DUN.

[reese]

i read somewhere where spurrier said the punishment wasnt up to him. he would go with whatever the school said. surely he would give the kid some kind of punishment directly from him.

[gatorunvrsty]

i read somewhere where spurrier said the punishment wasnt up to him. he would go with whatever the school said. surely he would give the kid some kind of punishment directly from him.

I heard he was going to be suspended from the team "indefinitely".:ph34r:

[GTmorris1970]

Spurrier did say that last night. Today, the university gave first punishment, then the athletic director suspended him from the team, and now Spurrier can add whatever he wishes. The consensus is that he will never wear garnet and black.

[OleMissPike]

If Orgeron were still at Ole Miss, Garcia would probably transfer :wacko:

[gatorunvrsty]

Spurrier did say that last night. Today, the university gave first punishment, then the athletic director suspended him from the team, and now Spurrier can add whatever he wishes. The consensus is that he will never wear garnet and black.

Well, as we've seen from Garcia before, Perrilloux since, and a host of other players for a host of other teams, what "indefinitely" means: having no exact limits, is even more vague than anywhere else; and usually means the limit is when the coach deems the player necessary to the team.

[GTmorris1970]

I have not heard the term indefinitely used in this case at all. Hyman suspended him until August 15th, and he awaits Spurrier's decision.

[gatorunvrsty]

I have not heard the term indefinitely used in this case at all. Hyman suspended him until August 15th, and he awaits Spurrier's decision.

I was referring to the last time he was suspended indefinitely. The original post was sarcasm... hence the :ph34r:

:laugh:

[GatorHunter]

I wonder how many college students could be arrested for this at any place, anytime?

Agreed...but most college students wouldn't be stupid enough to drink in broad daylight on campus...that's pretty blatant.

[GTmorris1970]

Sorry bout that. Kinda tired tonight. :laugh:

[GTmorris1970]

Agreed...but most college students wouldn't be stupid enough to drink in broad daylight on campus...that's pretty blatant.

And then pitch a fit like a two year old and start discharging a fire extinguisher in your dorm. :brick:

[Williams-Brice]

Not defending the kid because I think he's a total douchebag, but he wasn't arrested for this. He was ticketed.

[raptorcox]

He's a total embarassement to the university, his teammates, his family and all the fans that have backed him to this point.

[QC_Dawg]

I understand that Spurrier has yet to deal out his punishment, but the school's suspension from the team till Aug 15 seems pretty convenient to me. How many chances is this kid going to get?

[lacene]

I was referring to the last time he was suspended indefinitely. The original post was sarcasm... hence the :ph34r:

:laugh:

I'm not sure how Spurrier did it while he was at UF, but while at USC - and especially in Garcia's case last year - suspending a player "indefinitely" usually meant that upon initial report that a player has been arrested, or in trouble with the law, the player's involvement with the team is suspended: practices, workouts, whatever. Until Spurrier learns all the facts about the incident, from all sides, he doesn't truly know if punishing that player is warranted or not. So the player is suspended "indefinitely".....kinda like a law officer being put on restricted, paid leave if he's accused of wrongdoing, until the facts are bore out.

Remember, initially Garcia was claiming that he was innocent in keying the professor's car? Spurrier stood behind him on that, too, until it was revealed that Garcia lied. At that time, Spurrier had all the facts, and the "indefinite" suspension became suspension from spring practice. And now Garcia's punishment for this malfeasance has been clearly laid out as well, with the possibility of future, additional punishment from Spurrier....

[thethird]

Defensive lineman Luther Davis was back with Alabama's football team. Davis was dressed and participating in practice. Alabama coach Nick Saban cited "personal reasons" as why Davis was not with the team at the start of spring. Whatever was up with Davis apparently has been resolved and he wants to play football. He was in a red jersey, meaning he's cleared immediately for contact.

- Linebacker Zeke Knight did wear a black, no-contact jersey ... BUT he also wore pads today and was with teammates at the start of practice. Knight, who has a history of heart trouble, was hospitalized in January after growing dizzy during an offseason workout. He was subsequently held out of the Tide's offseason program. If he has indeed been cleared to participate, it was be a HUGE boost for a depth-depleted linebacking corps.

I'll have more on these issues later or in tomorrow's Press-Register

How in the HELL does this have anything to with this thread? Thank you BP for yet another earth shattering post. You do know there is a separate forum for you bammers?

[Tider27]

How in the HELL does this have anything to with this thread? Thank you BP for yet another earth shattering post. You do know there is a separate forum for you bammers?

It absolutely was irrelevant, but why are your panties getting in a wad over it? It's kind of a old post and no one seemed to mind...

[Williams-Brice]

I understand that Spurrier has yet to deal out his punishment, but the school's suspension from the team till Aug 15 seems pretty convenient to me. How many chances is this kid going to get?

Convenient? Do you really think a QB has a chance to play if he misses all of spring practice, all of summer workouts, and half of the fall camp? There is no chance that Garcia will play this year.

[QC_Dawg]

Convenient? Do you really think a QB has a chance to play if he misses all of spring practice, all of summer workouts, and half of the fall camp? There is no chance that Garcia will play this year.

I certainly don't think Garcia will be starting the first game of the season. But I certainly wouldn't count him out for a year.

All I know is Akeem Hebron got caught drinking underage twice and was kicked out of UGA and off the team for a year. Garcia has done the same, plus vandalizing a teacher's car and he is not allowed to meet with the team until right before the season starts. Does that hurt his playing chances? Yes. Does it allow him to still have the chance to play if the struggling Gamecocks need anyone they can get? Yes.

[BAMAPERRY]

Isn't this Smelleys 3rd year with Spurrier? He should do well for USC this year.

[Williams-Brice]

Isn't this Smelleys 3rd year with Spurrier? He should do well for USC this year.

Yep. It was Smelley's job to lose even if Garcia was playing.

[Williams-Brice]

I certainly don't think Garcia will be starting the first game of the season. But I certainly wouldn't count him out for a year.

All I know is Akeem Hebron got caught drinking underage twice and was kicked out of UGA and off the team for a year. Garcia has done the same, plus vandalizing a teacher's car and he is not allowed to meet with the team until right before the season starts. Does that hurt his playing chances? Yes. Does it allow him to still have the chance to play if the struggling Gamecocks need anyone they can get? Yes.

I understand what you're saying, but I don't see how a quarterback who has done nothing but run the scout team can miss yet another year of spring practice, miss all of summer school (meaning all team meetings and workouts), and miss half of fall camp and then expect to even get any reps with the first team offense. The suspension from Hyman ends when summer school ends. It kills his chances of playing this year. When is he supposed to get reps with the first team if 3 guys will be in front of him?

[GamecockDieHard]

He held out longer than I thought he would, but I had no doubt there would be "a next time," with Garcia. You'd like to make an excuse for it, but I can't think of one. Hopefully, alcohol counseling works for him, but somehow, I can see it being alot like that movie where Robbie Benson gets paid to turn on automatic sprinklers. I'll be surprised if he ever plays for us. Not necessarily because of this latest fiasco, but the next one(s). Too bad.

[MBGamecock]

Does Brett Favre have any eligibility left?:laugh:

Smelley will do us good:thumpsup:

[GTmorris1970]

Spurrier is not handing down any further punishment, and says he will take him back in August if he is still around. Went on to say Garcia's well being is his main concern right now, as well it should be.

I see it this way. He cannot stay out of trouble living on campus with his teammates. Imagine what will PROBABLY happen being off campus on his own. His self destructive behavior will end up getting him killed in this town if he doesn't straighten up, and quick. IMO, he is done here. He won't be here in August. I say he will finalize his doom within a month. So sad. Lots of talent down the toilet. But, he did it to himself.

[NextYearIsHere]

Garcia is gone, i bet he transfers before the end of the semester. From what i've seen and heard he has no desire to be in school other than to play football. hello App. State football! Unless that is if any other D-1 program wants to take a chance with him

[JVille Gator]

Garcia is gone, i bet he transfers before the end of the semester. From what i've seen and heard he has no desire to be in school other than to play football. hello App. State football! Unless that is if any other D-1 program wants to take a chance with him

Some people at USF (South Fl.) thinks he may transfer there, which would be perfect for him. He's from Tampa and the campus is also.