Answering a few of your questions and tying up a few loose ends...
-- This was really the most surreal thing I've covered at UGA. I like to think I'm a decent writer, but I have no words to describe the awkward tension in the room at that press conference. I had a buddy who once woke up naked on a random stranger's couch after drinking too much. I can only assume that must be what this press conference felt like.
-- Damon Evans' full statement was just under five minutes long, and his Q&A lasted about another five minutes.
-- This is going to be heard a lot after Evans' description of his relationship with Courtney Fuhrrman.
-- Evans' wife was at the press conference, along with Mark Fox and several of the top UGA brass. Only Fox talked with reporters afterward. "Damon met with the group this afternoon, and I think he wanted to, as he mentioned, apologize and take responsibily," Fox said. "He stood up like a man and did so."
-- The biggest question: Do I think Evans will keep his job? Honestly, I don't know, but I will say that virtually every source I talked to before the news conference thought he would offer his resignation. The fact that Michael Adams is on vacation may delay any sort of decision, too. But the truth is... this is going to be very, very hard for Evans to overcome at Georgia. Which isn't to say it can't be done.
-- Perhaps a good compromise on the situation was offered by Fletcher Page, who suggested Damon spend a year as athletics director at Georgia Military College, then be invited back to UGA.
-- The whole issue with the woman in the car remains a mystery, and certainly it's understandable why Evans wouldn't want to get into details on that. But if she was arrested, too, then something more happened at the scene, and when the video and police reports reveal those details publicly, an ugly situation could get much, much uglier.
-- Evans held back tears at several points, and he definitely took responsibility and offered contrition. But... statements about getting hammered by the press and saying he never considered offering his resignation sort of undercut some of that. I've talked to several reporters who said they wished they didn't have to write this story -- and I can say I'm at the top of that list -- but Evans deserves everything he gets right now. Feel sorry for Georgia and his family, but not for him.
-- And speaking of family... mine is in town for my wedding on Saturday, so this is probably all the reporting you're going to get from me for the near future. But more details are sure to emerge. Hoepfully the curse of Hale will be officially removed from now on though.
-- And if you're in Athens this weekend, I'll be wrapping up my beer card (AND TAKING CABS HOME!) so feel free to stop into Pauley's to say hello.
Have a great July 4th weekend, folks!
Posts
37 comments:
Thanks for all the insight today David. Now go hang out with the family, get married, and drink beer! Congrats again, man!
Let's just not forget that he might be not guilty of DUI. See what happened with the Gwinnet County chairman's case.
Coon Dawg -- I appreciate your rationale, but...
a.) You don't refuse a breath test if you haven't been drinking, and..
b.) refusing a breath test automatically leads to a 1-year suspension of driving privileges as part of the implied consent laws.
David Hale-going out the door with Biz Markie!!
I have seen this noted in regard to politicians who get caught with "just a friend", but why have your wife with you at the "I have sinned, against you my Lord" press conference?
Presumably, the wife is in a state of shock and anger right now (and for the foreseeable future). Don't make her have to be there "standing by her man" like she supports him, at the one moment in their marriage when she least wants to support him. Let her stay home. Everyone expects her to be mad. Don't make her participate in a charade.
Dave,
Bill Maher has a stand-up joke about married men that goes a little something like this: Women are always telling him that married men have a longer life expectancy than bachelors. He responds that house cats also live longer than their less domesticated cousins. They’re pathetic balls of fluff with a broken spirit, but technically, yes, they do live longer.
A pox on anyone who uses my Maher comment as a springboard to sharing their political views.
Well.
I've had my domesticated house cat outside for a sit and stroll a few times, and once she encountered a dog the size of Texas. That dog reacted as if it had just been given the "horns-down" hand signal and went berserk, but the only thing left standing was my domesticated house cat (yet, it was most traumatizing, as if a black cloud had been cast upon us). I told her we're going to need an UGA VIII, and she purred.
A ball of fluff? I think not. She says she runs this state.
She does, though, refuse to go outside now, for some reason or another.
His apologies seemed extremely sincere, and most of us will forgive him, but he can't remain our AD. There would be way too much hypocrisy now and in the future when other incidents arise like this from coaches or athletes. He probably thought the chick was hot last night when he was hammered then saw her picture this morning and said, "I did that for that?"
Dave, enjoy married life. It is awesome!
the automatic one year suspension is only for under-lawyered people./
other than that, this is just more of your great insight.
Sad, sad, sad.
Wawa awaits!
The Biz Markie video was awesome, Damon will make it through this, he is Adams lapdog, hide and watch
Adams has to wait for his orders from Leebern. You think Leebern will say its bad to drink too much? Won't happen till there is a new governor in GA. Maybe not then either.
Congrats David.
Thank you David. You have been a great source of insight for all of the Dawg Nation. You will truly be missed. Congrats and may only further success find you.
Joe
It does not surprise me 1 bit that your dismissive souls are in here trying to dream up your usual EXCUSES.
Penalties for Breathalyzer Refusal
•One-year license suspension
Under implied consent, when you drive in this state.
Now, BUI if you wish to go on record today that Damon Evans does NOT lose his license for a YEAR, I will go on record he does.
If this is his 1st DUI in the last 5 years, or 1st DUI in the last 10 years, in Georgia, he also faces :
First Offense
•$300-1,000 fine
•10 days-1 year in jail
•One-year probation, less time served in jail
•One-year driver's license suspension
•Minimum 40 hours of community service
•Completion of alcohol/drugs & driving class
There are no absolutes in refusing breathalyzer, but you are presumed guilty.
You will have blood tests.
That this is where we are, that our Athletics Director who refuses to build us an Indoor Practice Facility and who refuses to build us a gym with more than 10,000 seats unless he can come up with the cash up-front when the whole world buys real estate on 30-year mortgages, teaches us that he thinks we should refuse a breathalyzer, is a sad state of affairs for a team who has faced more of these charges than every other school.
We had our Offensive Coordinator convicted of DUI just 4 years ago, Neil Callaway.
Great example for the kids.
Fire Damon Evans.
Michael F. Adam$ hired Damon Evans before he was ready for this job. Adam$ did this to personally challenge Vincent J. Dooley for supremacy at UGA.
Rampant arrests and suspensions for 10 years of the Coach Richt Era and for 7 of these years, Damon Evans has turned a deaf ear, allowing it to reach this crescendo of 40 arrests / suspensions of football players and athletic directors at The University of Georgia since February 2007, three years.
$2,750,000
I VOID that CONTRACT herewith.
Pay Damon Evans starting Thursday two million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars over 5 years with $20,000 raises after each year of the contract.
Not counting all the spiffs.
Like being out at Midnight just before the 4th of July weekend with a younger gal over a dozen years younger than he a pretty girl also DRUNK AS A SKUNK and unable to even listen to the Trooper tell her repeatedly to stay in the BMW, Damon Evan with a wife at home and family.
THIS IS THE REAL ISSUE.
For this.
I think not.
Resign.
As a matter of fact, you can directly correlate the decisions of Damon Evans as AD with the results on the field for a football program which has historically been the # 11 best in the nation in Wins All-Time in 1-A Football, yet over the last 4 years has been instead 38-14 good for # 19 in the nation in won / lost record over the last 4 years with a 10-10 SEC East record over the last 4 years good for # 3 in The SEC East, and a 20-12 record over the last 4 years good for a # 4 in The SEC position for this once Proud University of Georgia.
Director of Athletics hand-picked by Michael F. Adams when he was NOT READY.
Neil Callaway was NOT fired by Damon Evans.
He should have been and was totally ineffective and doomed to failure since his DUI.
I can just see it now. Pictures of The University of Georgia with our DRUNK AS A SKUNK shamed Director of Athletics humiliating UGA telling EVERYONE ELSE to not drive when they drink. 2-faced smashed AD.
Tailgaters cannot any longer enjoy their time on Game Days, Players are KICKED off the football team recently, but Damon Evans married can go get DRUNK AS A SKUNK with a young gal at Midnight and keep his job he was NEVER READY FOR in the first place.
Michael F. Adam$’ hands are tied on this one.
The young gal also arrested recently graduated from college in 2005, in the BMW, drunk at Midnight is not related to The University of Georgia, and is a friend of Damon Evans, a married man.
Wonder what his wife thinks of that.
Maybe Coach Richt can make some calls when he gets back from Vacation and can get Damon Evans a job as Athletics Director at Arkansas.
Or, maybe as Director of Player Personnel Development for Paul Johnson at Georgia tek.
Party School Ranking just went way up with photos from the soon to be released video hit the Internet of the how DRUNK AS A SKUNK the gal was, not involved with UGA according to Damon but a friend. Got that Damon.
SCANDAL is the gal.
FULMER CUP STANDINGS have been released and UGA, who is # 4 All-Time, has gotten WAY WORSE.
At UGA, Michael F. Adam$ hires a AD who runs around with recent college grads as a 40 something himself at Midnight 4th of July Weekend, whom Damon says is a friend and not involved with anything at The University of Georgia
DRUNK AS A SKUNK refusing breathalyzer test.
No wonder we have all these arrest issues and no wonder our football program and all the other programs have fallen off the face of the earth as his tenure endures. Perhaps now Michael F. Adam$ will hire as Our Athletics Director in charge of all our Coaches and all our Student-Athletes, someone who has
ACTUALLY COACHED BEFORE.
You cannot suspend the person who is in CHARGE.
Any side bets on whether the immediate previous poster graduated from UGA (or any college)?
David!
I've been reading your blog for a long time, but rarely comment. However, a bit of advice for you from a fellow with ten years of experience with marriage (all with one woman): Do NOT get drunk, pick up a 28 year old ho, driver around, get busted for a DUI and show up at your own press conference still drunk (if you rate one).
With that, I wish you well with marriage, life and your new gig.
GO DAWGS!
David, do you have any clue when the police report will be released? That's what I'm really looking forward too, and I'm curious why it hasn't been released already. Thanks for the coverage during this big week for the Hale family.
I think Anon at 2:44 am was DRUNK AS A SKUNK. Or is just plain stupid. I take that back. Their post was idiotic. The person who wrote it may or may not be. I've written/said dumb shit DRUNK AS A SKUNK at 3 in the morning too.
David you will be sorely missed by myself and others. You reporting on UGA Athletics has been informative, and more importantly, objective. I just wanted to give you some legal insight regarding any possible arrest of the passenger. You stated the following:
"But if she was arrested, too, then something more happened at the scene, and when the video and police reports reveal those details publicly, an ugly situation could get much, much uglier."
In my experience, police officers will often arrest passengers, once the driver is arrested for DUI/DWI because the passenger is intoxicated. The officers cannot let the passengers leave the scene in the vehicle and the officers cannot let the passengers leave on foot because they are a danger to themselves or others. Therefore, the officers will arrest the passengers for public intoxication. Just an FYI.
David, you better hope our long-winded anonymous poster doesn't show up to your wedding. When the minister asks if anyone has a problem with the two of you getting married, anon will start a rant for 5 minutes about the many reasons why marrying you would be a grave mistake. Of course, you can keep him out of the ceremony to prevent this. He'll be the guy wearing a bag over his head so that he will remain anonymous.
You're right Anon, but she was arrested for disorderly conduct, not public intoxication, etc. So at the least, she did something to warrant the excessive charge.
And thanks for the kind words. It's much appreciated.
The things I've read said she kept getting out of the car despite repeated warnings to stay in said vehicle. I would guess there was a little back sassisng too, which the Georgia State Patrol frowns upon.
David, thanks for all the great work and I wish you nothing but success -- in your career and marriage. PS - Wives don't like back sassing any more than the Ga State Patrol.
Chris -- a basic police report should be available now. The full report and audio/video may be withheld while the investigation continues, much like the info with the Mettenberger case.
police report....
GSP Incident Report
He's done....period. There is NO way he can be retained.
I think we should hire as the new AD, PAT PAULSEN.
When all you have posted is some personal FLAME and not 1 word about the blog subject, you have written NOTHING.
Crying uncontrollably. That is all any of you on this blog do.
Red Panties on his lap after Police pulled him over, in between his legs, while he fumbled through his wallet dropping stuff while talkatively talking to State Trooper 1st Class.
Only knew the gal a week or so according to the pantiless gal at midnight the day before the 4th of July Weekend.
Take them to a motel.
Yeah, I got that Damon.
Take you to a motel.
He will get off scot-free the heretofore Pantiless. gal repeatedly addressed the fine Trooper 1st Class.
Drove OVER the yellow centerline with Trooper spun around U-turn now behind him, following him after he could not maintain lane twice while Trooper 1st Class was first traveling in the other direction.
Beluga Martini Bar.
Live Entertainment starting at 10:30 p.m. 6 nights a week with the finest Entertainers in the nation. Late Night Stop for Buckhead Movers and Shakers.
This is Peachtree Street at Piedmont Road. You take Piedmont Road over 5 miles up Highway US 19 Roswell Road from Buckhead to Roswell Road, right, toward Chastain Park inside I-285, the very nicest parts of the City of Atlanta.
Privileged.
6 feet 3 inches tall 210 lbs and she is 5 feet 10 inches tall 130 lbs, and from the look of her well-endowed charms, this lady knew exactly with whom she was spending the evening with.
Courtney Nay Fuhrmann BS Journalism Georgia Southern University July 2006 Spring Commencement, shows she is from Martinez Georgia (Augusta.)
She was “Mad” because he was going to get off and she wasn’t. Excuse me young lady, you were not going to be arrested. You got arrested and it could have been on multiple charges; you only are charged with Obstruction Disorderly Conduct. Why in the world would you force the GSP to arrest you ? Oh, yeah, I remember because Damon got you drunk. A tall black football player from 1988, and you a full-figured tall white girl. You should have and could have been arrested on 3 more charges Courtney Nay.
In 6 minutes, you would have made 3 million dollars Damon.
How cushy a job is that ?
Celebrate ?
Not with your wife and 2 kids 2 hours away.
But, in downtown Buckhead South of Lenox Square North of West Paces Ferry Road at Piedmont and Peachtree.
With a gal who graduated Spring 2006 from college. In all respects, twice her age.
Curl up on a Coach, Flirt by the Fireplace, unwind by the Aquarium, or mingle with the Movers and Shakers by the Main Bar at Beluga Martini Bar. Nice. What that cost ?
For every Mood and Occasion.
Such as Celebrating your $ 3 million dollar contract to start in 6 minutes with your wife and your son and your daughter – scratch that – skank.
This is their Advertisement :
http://www.hopstop.com/images/yp/265460609/782002591.jpg
Ok, so she is from Martinez, he is driving, they just left Beluga Martini Bar, drove up Piedmont, across Peachtree, right on US 19 North Roswell Road in the swankiest part of town and the most dangerous road toward Chastain Park.
And, all of those such posts are by
Anonymous TOO.
Ive got an Itch, no one cares about you, 4 views all-time. That is a lot less than Anonymous.
And The University of Georgia Athletics Director, hired by none other than Michael F. Adam$ in 2004 when he FIRED Vincent J. Dooley who put this Athletics Department together, is bargaining with the Georgia State Patrol that HE HAS INFLUENCE and not to use it but can you take us to a MOTEL please Officer ?
Pimp Mobile ?
The Georgia State Patrol is supposed to take you 2 to a Motel to Celebrate your three million dollar contract starting in 6 minutes.
Animal House.
This is a lot better than Animal House.
I want to keep my job.
Boss out of town on Vacation.
The contract is Null and Void.
Your marriage is a SHAM.
Your son and your daughter are cute kids and your wife is gorgeous.
At what point, did you think that maybe you should have handed her back her red panties ?
Maybe as the Officer walked up ?
Get this one now.
“I feel pretty good” he said as Damon, smiled and laughed for no apparent reason.
“I don’t want to use my influence, but she is just trying to protect me.”
From what ? The Georgia State Patrol 1st Class ?
“You are too impaired to drive, and he agreed” Damon saying “maybe so.”
You want to know the truth of the matter.
Neither one of these people are very smart, Courtney Nay and Damon M.
Black guy middle-aged and white girl 4 years after graduating college in a BMW 750i at Midnight night before 4th July Weekend out celebrating the 3 million dollar 5 year contract about to start 6 minutes later at 11:54 p.m. crossing the yellow center line in the Nicest part of this city of 6 million on a street that is too small to navigate and always has been.
With Red Panties between his legs, a football player at UGA in 1988, from Gainesville, about the same year she was born.
With the Officer asking him why he has Red Panties between his legs after he signaled him to stop.
Jeez Louise.
They should make this into a Movie.
“I have a young lady and SHE is intoxicated and I am just trying to get her home.”
Yeah.
Or the Georgia State Patrol can just please take you to a Motel.
God Almighty.
I have heard it all.
I wonder when the young gal put her red panties back on, or does Damon M. still have them between his legs ?
Your red panties are between his legs, he is driving you both to your home, and he is 2 hours away from his wife, daughter and son, and you 2 are celebrating Michael F. Adam$’ 5-Year $3 million dollar contract to begin 6 minutes AFTER you are arrested.
Maybe Courtney Nay went into the Atlanta Jail on Peachtree Street though the Sally Port Pantiless.
“That I promise you 1 thing, that he will get OFF,” Courtney Nay again repeatedly promised the arresting Georgia State Patrol Trooper 1st Class.
You are an Idiot Damon, and always have been.
Congratulations on your HIRE Michael F. Adam$.
And, all of those such posts are by
Anonymous TOO.
Ive got an Itch, no one cares about you, 4 views all-time. That is a lot less than Anonymous.
And The University of Georgia Athletics Director, hired by none other than Michael F. Adam$ in 2004 when he FIRED Vincent J. Dooley who put this Athletics Department together, is bargaining with the Georgia State Patrol that HE HAS INFLUENCE and not to use it but can you take us to a MOTEL please Officer ?
Pimp Mobile ?
The Georgia State Patrol is supposed to take you 2 to a Motel to Celebrate your three million dollar contract starting in 6 minutes.
Animal House.
This is a lot better than Animal House.
I want to keep my job.
Boss out of town on Vacation.
The contract is Null and Void.
Your marriage is a SHAM.
Your son and your daughter are cute kids and your wife is gorgeous.
At what point, did you think that maybe you should have handed her back her red panties ?
Maybe as the Officer walked up ?
Get this one now.
“I feel pretty good” he said as Damon, smiled and laughed for no apparent reason.
“I don’t want to use my influence, but she is just trying to protect me.”
From what ? The Georgia State Patrol 1st Class ?
“You are too impaired to drive, and he agreed” Damon saying “maybe so.”
You want to know the truth of the matter.
Neither one of these people are very smart, Courtney Nay and Damon M.
Black guy middle-aged and white girl 4 years after graduating college in a BMW 750i at Midnight night before 4th July Weekend out celebrating the 3 million dollar 5 year contract about to start 6 minutes later at 11:54 p.m. crossing the yellow center line in the Nicest part of this city of 6 million on a street that is too small to navigate and always has been.
With Red Panties between his legs, a football player at UGA in 1988, from Gainesville, about the same year she was born.
With the Officer asking him why he has Red Panties between his legs after he signaled him to stop.
Jeez Louise.
They should make this into a Movie.
“I have a young lady and SHE is intoxicated and I am just trying to get her home.”
Yeah.
Or the Georgia State Patrol can just please take you to a Motel.
God Almighty.
I have heard it all.
I wonder when the young gal put her red panties back on, or does Damon M. still have them between his legs ?
Your red panties are between his legs, he is driving you both to your home, and he is 2 hours away from his wife, daughter and son, and you 2 are celebrating Michael F. Adam$’ 5-Year $3 million dollar contract to begin 6 minutes AFTER you are arrested.
Maybe Courtney Nay went into the Atlanta Jail on Peachtree Street though the Sally Port Pantiless.
“That I promise you 1 thing, that he will get OFF,” Courtney Nay again repeatedly promised the arresting Georgia State Patrol Trooper 1st Class.
You are an Idiot Damon, and always have been.
Congratulations on your HIRE Michael F. Adam$.
How do you type with the whole straight jacket thing going on?
He uses his nose. That's why he feels obligated to post them, because after all that effort, someone HAS to see it...
SORRY GUYS THIS COULD BE A DUMB ?, WHY DOES UGA USE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC WHEN IT WAS USED BY THE YANKEES AGAINST THE SOUTH IN THE WAR FOR SOUTHRON INDEPENDENCE?
ONELOVE GA
GO DAWGS!
Confederate Dog
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Battle_Hymn_of_the_Republic
David,
Thanks for all you have done for the Bulldawg Nation.
And tonight, in the immortal words of Rob Schneider, "You Can Do It! You Can Do It All Night Long"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd6A5PNvY4A
Congrats and best wishes in Delaware. I hope you get a copy of your Weekend At Bernies DVD.
4 days Michael F. Adam$ took.
The whole 4th of July weekend.
I like the idea of 1 of our best women's basketball players ever, Carla Green Williams, being promoted from Senior Associate Athletic Director / Senior Woman Administrator.
Michael F. Adam$ shouldn't have any issue with promoting her to be Athletics Director.
If you ask Adam$ for too much, you will not get anything. Florida sports have enough issues of their own. Perhaps beating us in the games is good, but not much else down there has been.
It is wrong not to promote this kind of a person.
She has been a Coach, something that Michael F. Adam$ ignored when he hired Damon M. Evans.
She is really really smart.
She is mature and probably just this side of 50.
When she played for our highly successful Lady Dawgs Basketball team, she could steal the ball, she could shoot the ball and she could pass the ball to her teammates.
When she got out of coaching, she turned her immense talents to educating herself in her field, and she is highly educated.
She is in short a person who knows where we are trying to get to. Everyone loves her. She would be great as our Leader, and there is no reason why she wouldn't be.
Her Dad is a football coach, and his kids work hard with 11 UGA degrees from her siblings.
We don't need to pattern ourselves after Florida; we need to beat them.
There goes Anon and his feces talk again
Anon,
You are perhaps the most disturbed person I've encountered on the interwebs. I sincerely pity you, and I can't imagine what your day-to-day existence must be like.
Given that most of your rants are posted late at night, I guess you aren't a homeless psychotic feverishly typing these rants up at your local library. I suppose you could be a semi-functioning member of society, and these rants are your lone outlet for your issues. But I doubt it.
I can picture you with your head covered in tinfoil as you carefully cut out letters from magazines and paste them to construct anonymous letters that you send to Adams, Richt, Evans, et al.
A&E should contact you for one of their documentaries. I don't know if "Intervention" or "Obsessed" would be more appropriate. I took a few psych classes at UGA, but not enough to confidently identify your particular disorder(s).
I just hope that you don't harm anyone when you do finally snap. God forbid if there were ever some kind of terrorist attack at Butts-Mehre or Sanford, I would contact the FBI and tell them to locate you through your (or more likely your long-suffering mother's) IP address.
Well, I was a Carla Green Williams fan, but now that our anonymous blog-hogger has endorsed her, I feel she must have some serious flaws that we are not aware of.
By the way, Mr Anonymous, I couldn't care less how many people have viewed my profile. Only a insecure little dweeb would be interested in such insignificant trivia. We ALL now know what turns you on, and it is YOURSELF. Keep patting yourself on the back. You're the only one going to do it.
AHA! I HAVE IT!
The inside scoop on why David Hale is leaving us:
The mostly-incoherant rantings of Anonymous chased him off!
Oh, and Anonymous? Don't confuse derision with validation. They are not the same (although I can totally see you being one of those very disturbed individuals who think that any attention, even negative attention, is good).
I don't care if you graduated from UGA; I do not consider you a peer in any way, shape or form. In fact, I'm surprised you have the capacity for simple respiration, honestly. You 'void his contract'? I bet you're lucky to be able to void your bowels in the appropriate place.
Ultimately, the ugly truth is that, as bad ad Damon Evans made us look, YOU MAKE US LOOK INFINITELY WORSE. And I will continue to heap derision on your head for as long as you choose to post inaccuracies, fabrications, and out-and-out lies and claim they are fact.
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