UGA AD Damon Evans and his DUI: It’s no laughing matter
Damon Evans' mug shot. (City of Atlanta)
We make jokes, but there’s nothing funny about a DUI. There’s especially nothing funny when the man arrested is, by job definition, a leader of young people, and when some of those young people have had alcohol-related issues of their own.
Damon Evans warrants the same legal protection as everyone else: He’s innocent until proven guilty. But men in positions of leadership are held to a standard above and beyond legality: They’re supposed to be exemplars. Just by putting himself in position to pose for an unflattering mug shot, the Georgia athletics director has thrown his stewardship into question.
Michael Adams doesn’t like a lot of things — the BCS and Vince Dooley, to name two — but mostly the president doesn’t like being embarrassed. That’s why Jim Harrick, whom Adams had both befriended and championed, was pushed out the door within a month of Tony Cole’s appearance on ESPN in 2003.
You disappoint the president at your peril, and the president cannot be pleased today. This president chose Evans to replace Dooley, which means Adams leveraged much of what political capital he had left on the promotion. This president, as we know, has crusaded against underage drinking; he surely expects better of the adults on his staff.
There can be no quibbles about Evans as AD: Even with a difficult act to follow in Dooley, he has done well. He presides over a department that mints money and fields teams of high quality. He made a difficult decision to fire Dennis Felton and found, in Mark Fox, a coach who effected an immediate upgrade. In his public statements about Mark Richt and the football program Evans has sounded the proper notes — supportive but expectant of improvement.
Alas, there are no proper notes when you’ve been hauled to jail. There’s no way to explain the incongruity of a DUI being incurred by the man who made a video — it’s screened on the Sanford Stadium message board before and during games — imploring Georgia fans not to drink and drive.
“If you drink and drive,” Evans says in the video, “you lose.” He’s about to learn how difficult it can be to win back a good reputation. Fair or not, he’s no longer the bright and brassy AD of the state’s flagship school; he’s the guy who’ll spend the next decade trying to live down one unfortunate mug shot.
UPDATE: Georgia has scheduled a news conference for 6 or 6 :30 p.m. Thursday, and esteemed colleague Chip Towers has been told Damon Evans will appear. So that’s where I’m headed.
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1,388 comments Add your comment
Don "Vito" Leeburn
July 1st, 2010
1:53 pm
You people stop talking bad about my employee or you will sleep with the fishes.
NOTADAWG
July 1st, 2010
1:53 pm
Maybe suspending him for the LA-Lafayette game will help him see the wrong in his actions. It has worked wonders with all the players over there. Maybe they should just erect fences around the entire athletic dept and call it a day. As the old saying goes, S*#t flows downhill.
Down in Albany
July 1st, 2010
1:54 pm
I’m all about second chances. Thank goodness for a God that gives me second chances. But, he has to go. Bottom line. He cannot redeem his reputation with the student body. Not resign….fired! I hate it, but, that’s the way it is.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 1st, 2010
1:54 pm
New drink being served by all teams playing UGA “The DAMON” aka a “BMW”. A shot of Bourbon, in a Glass of Miller, Served by a Woman(not your wife). It can also be called the BMW. Something Damon will not be soon. A Black Man Working.
j
July 1st, 2010
1:54 pm
is that Chris Leak? damn that brother is on cloud nine. “long gone.” The pride of Athens, GA.
Just downright pitiful.
4 Jacks
July 1st, 2010
1:54 pm
wait a minute…apparently you lack reading comprehension skills, as you certainly have no clue what I was talking about, and since you just start with the name calling I can see what I am up against here. I doubt that you will understand this, but if you will go to some other boards like dawgvent, you will find some people stating that Mr. Evans transgesssion was no worse than a second rate citation. To others credit they do get the severity of this incident. I was only pointing out the degree of hypocrsy that comes from the UGA fan base, is somewhat mind boggling. Now, granted most of these are “fans” that have never seen the inside of a college lab or class room. My point was that outside there fine vet school and there football team Georgia the university is not that highly thought of, and most of their fan base is only concerned about what happebs on Saturdays Also, I did not attend either school, as I went to Tulane, but was born here, and my father went to Tech. Also, I will let you know that this idiot as you call me lost a very dear friend who had a wife and three children all under 10, 7 years ago to a drunk driver. If UGA does not fire Mr. Evans it will only enforce the belief that they are only concerned with what goes on with there football team and hence the hypocrysy that goes with it. As for your name calling, it seems you fit in with some of the stereotypes I see at some of these games. I would suggest a reading comprehension course of some type for you.
TROTTINGHOME
July 1st, 2010
1:54 pm
Here’s a link to prove my 1:52 post–
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/usisrichestnationbutnothappiest
Bud Wiser
July 1st, 2010
1:55 pm
Wait, didn’t Jeff Shultz just go on vacation? Was he the passenger? Is that why the AJC will not name the passenger?
Drink of Choice
July 1st, 2010
1:55 pm
Damon looked really toasted in that picture. It’s a good thing he didn’t do the breath test—it may have blown up the machine. No telling what stuff he was drinking or smoking before that arrest. Must have been some good stuff.
Here we go
July 1st, 2010
1:55 pm
WonderDawg, your boy DawgTired just proved my point with his quote, copied below:
“They’ll probably have to pay evans a couple of mil on the way out or he’ll bring race charges.”
Dawg Fighter
July 1st, 2010
1:56 pm
Good bet Gator Guts. It was sure a lucky break he and Vick left the house before the shootin’ started.
NCdawg
July 1st, 2010
1:56 pm
Way to lead by example Damon.
Typical
July 1st, 2010
1:56 pm
This is the 2nd biggest embarrasment to UGA in the last 20 years! Just behind the hiring of that poor excuse of a football coach, Mark Richt.
Tech Man
July 1st, 2010
1:57 pm
As one dog fan said. Innocent until proven guilty and he probably will beat the charges. You idiot, look at his mug shot and tell me he’s not wasted. He’s the one that insisted Zack Mettenburg be thrown under the buss. Now what do you do with this guy? Go dawgaholics.
????
July 1st, 2010
1:57 pm
This guy was making over 400k, and just got a 25% raise to 550k in this economy and he couldn’t get a taxi or safe ride?
Woulda cost no more than $150. Now he may lost his job and half mil salary. Dui will cost at least 5k.
01HAWK
July 1st, 2010
1:57 pm
He must be let go immediately. He can not lead by example.
TROTTINGHOME
July 1st, 2010
1:57 pm
Someone’s pissing down my back telling me UGA is only know for football and VET school…Why just the other day I was admiring our wonderful politicians.
Gatorzone
July 1st, 2010
1:57 pm
Here we go, I am confused by all of the NAACP, Al Sharpton and Obama references myself.
Why the need for all of the racism?
crossdawg
July 1st, 2010
1:58 pm
Hey Damon
Here’s your sign….I’M STUPID
Mike Price
July 1st, 2010
1:58 pm
Sorry Damon you should’ve gotten a motel room like I did. Boy are those florida fans gonna have fun with the mug shot at this years cocktail party. You big Dummy !
mark
July 1st, 2010
1:58 pm
I wonder how many of you brilliant bloggers will at some point receive a DUI after three beers which is certainly possible with our draconian laws in this state. You do not have to be drunk to get a DUI, just impaired according to our DUI laws. Nobody knows if Evans was actually a driving menace until more facts are released so most of you moralizing morons need shut up. DUI laws as they are presently constituted are unjust and have ruined many lives needlessly. By the way, I’ve never had one but do not like being fearful that a few beers and a burger can land me in jail.
WonderDawg
July 1st, 2010
1:59 pm
So one dufus (and not my boy) proves your point? Again, Evans has been loved by UGA fans, even after getting the job after Dooley was forced out.
GoDOGS1
July 1st, 2010
1:59 pm
$500k/year = Poof!
At least the economy is in good enough shape so he can land a job that is close to his income now in the private sector…..uhhhhh, not!
Now if we can only get rid of the pink pig, MA.
Barney Fife
July 1st, 2010
1:59 pm
We used to always get our pictures took with our eyes closed like that, in the 50s.
It made us look sexy.
Damon'sgottago
July 1st, 2010
2:00 pm
This whole situation really hasn’t been fair to Evans. At 34 years old and with his lack of experience, he wasn’t ready for and AD job of this stature. His use (or non-use) of the king’s english made many of us shudder. Too much strain on him. Maybe the charged passenger (wonder what offense there) can help us understand. He’s gone. The sooner the better. Those given undeserved opportunities often sqander them.
Boss
July 1st, 2010
2:00 pm
Florida owns UGA. Oftentimes, Florida will rent UGA out to Chuckie Cheese for birthday parties so the players can entertain small childern.
Gatorzone
July 1st, 2010
2:01 pm
46 DD’s
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
still funny Wonderdawg!
Meller
July 1st, 2010
2:01 pm
to the tech fan that was obsessed with transvestites , we were asking if CPJ was the woman (TV) with evans in the car and since you seem to be the expert , we patiently await the answer.
( GET IT !!!)
barneyb
July 1st, 2010
2:01 pm
As a law enforcement officer, let me throw this in the mix….
Most folks know that if you refuse the state administered chemical test of your blood/breath/urine/or other bodily substances, it doesn’t matter if you are over the legal limit or not. Your license is automatically suspended for at least 6 months. So no presumption of innocence here, and he is likely facing an uphill battle on the DUI as well.
In his position, Evans should know better. First, don’t drink and drive. He put himself in the position to begin with. And to refuse the test, he’s screwed. Adams and the Board of Regents should launch him out of there faster than the Space Shuttle just on general principle. Whether you have compassion or not, whatever credibility he had is GONE, and nothing he can do will ever regain that.
Also as an alumnus, I am ashamed of the lack of discipline of this team and now the Athletic Director. I don’t care if the disciplinary incidents of recent years are traffic or minor. When you get paid obscene amounts of money like Evans, you have no wiggle room for error. Same with the players. They are given in many cases, a free college education or darned close to it. Give the scholarships to kids who can conduct themselves in such a way that we would all be proud. I am sick of this thug mentality in Athens. Tattoos, dreadlocks, dancing Souja Boy on the sidelines. Y’all act like ya got some sense!
the other st simons
July 1st, 2010
2:01 pm
It is George Bush’s fault.
By the way, the causeway is closed till Tuesday. Everyone heading this way should instead go to Haiti.
Cuz
July 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
Let ye who is without sin, buy the first round.
I guess he gets suspended from his skybox for six games.
WonderDawg
July 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
Well said, mark. Thank MADD.
The Cynical White Boy
July 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
Mug Shot, smug shot. No problem. His eyes are not closed because of alcohol…..
….he was simply in a state of deep meditation with his “passenger”…he was channeling his inner Tiger Woods.
Another one bites the dust
July 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
UGA just saved 500 k per year !
techfan1
July 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
The real bombshell has yet to fall people. Passengers in cars don’t get arrested unless 1) They are prostitutes, or 2) They are carrying something on them they shouldn’t be. Damon may be getting ready to lose a lot more than just his job folks……….
Barney Fife
July 1st, 2010
2:03 pm
He may not have been swerving all over the road because he was drinking.
He and his lady friend in the front seat with him may of had something else going on.
They might of had been smooching at the time.
My Friend Samuel Adams
July 1st, 2010
2:04 pm
Im Damon Evans
These comments you people are making about me are going to cost you next year in donations.
Oh and expect parking to triple too
By the way I deserve that $500,000 salary because adding donation charges was my idea!!
Lance
July 1st, 2010
2:04 pm
mark
one 12 oz american lite beer is about .02. you get rid of that in about an hour. if you drink 3 of them in an hour, it is very unlikely you will be .08 unless you are a frail tiny person.
just don’t exceed 3 and you will be fine.
WonderDawg
July 1st, 2010
2:04 pm
Thanks for the comments, Boss. Have another double!?!?!?
Dawg Tired
July 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
Mr. Evans has shown extremely poor judgment. Given his high-profile position at the University it is difficult to comprehend how this could happen. Poor judgment is usually, but not always, directly related to a lack of maturity. As the overseer of an athletic program with 100’s of young men and women it is a terrible example. As to what some folks consider to be a debatable point – whether this is an embarrassment to the University – how can it not be? He is the highest ranking person in the department, he is in an environment where many immature kids are struggling with alcohol abuse, and he has publicly condemned such conduct by others. Hypocrisy is always an embarrassment.
As Mr. Evans himself has pointed out in the past, such conduct results in consequences. He will now find out just how those consequences can impact one’s life. It is one thing when an 18 year old kid screws up, it is an entirely different thing when a supposedly mature adult screws up. Zach Metttenberger screwed up on spring break by sexually abusing a young woman and his life is in shambles. Should Mr. Evans be treated any differently? Why?
Gatorzone
July 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
Wonder and Meller, if you think about it 46DD really would be his size if he bought a bra!
Cuz good to see you checked in!
Joe
July 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
He should be fired! He was put in this position under controversal circumstances anyway so it also reflects bad on Micheal Adams in my opinion…
Alex
July 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
TAMPAGATOR…..get off your high horse kid. We all know you’ve had a few drinks and gotten behind the wheel before. Everyone has. That does not make you a bad person. Quit being a smarta$$ just for the sake of it. And he has an absolutely clean record before this, so saying i would be okay with a DUI a second third or fourth time is flat out stupid. It is one offense in many years of good behavior. That is all I said. So go give Tebow some brokeback love and get over yourself
ugaalum81
July 1st, 2010
2:06 pm
Wow is all I can say. As a UGA grduate, I am beyond embarrassed. And to have the passenger also arrested….can’t wait to hear the story on this one.
In the meantime, good riddance, you half million $ a year punk. You have disgraced us.
WonderDawg
July 1st, 2010
2:06 pm
……and has a curfew on Wednesdays, Cuz!
cobbcountydawg
July 1st, 2010
2:06 pm
If UGA keeps him after this, shame on them
kevin
July 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
Mark,
Why do encourage this ridiculous “first” business by saying “kudos” to the 5 year old who feels the need to say it. So stupid.
Tigger Woods
July 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
Damon…. I got a call into the White House for the next beer summit. We get to bring guests too!
Pi$$onaDawg
July 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
CUZ how is your lil Girl doing? I hope she is well.
Red
July 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
This definitely a lapse in judgment. Regardless, I don’t want him to represent my Alma Mater after this incident. I can no longer look at his pre-game videos about losing if you drink and drive.
This definitely a lapse in judgment. Regardless, I don’t want him to represent my Alma Mater after this incident. I can no longer look at his pre-game videos about losing if you drink and drive.
This definitely a lapse in judgment. Regardless, I don’t want him to represent my Alma Mater after this incident. I can no longer look at his pre-game videos about losing if you drink and drive.
This definitely a lapse in judgment. Regardless, I don’t want him to represent my Alma Mater after this incident. I can no longer look at his pre-game videos about losing if you drink and drive.