San Diego State University’s basketball team is missing a few of its most senior and most valuable members in upcoming games. Senior guard Richie Williams had been suspended from play before the start of last year’s season because of his DUI arrest in October 2007. In January 2008 he pleaded guilty to underage drunk driving. The court suspended his license for one year and Williams was assigned to a first-time conviction program. However, the court issued a bench warrant in recent weeks after Williams failed to enroll and attend the program.
And this year, before the season even got going, senior forward Lorrenzo Wade was suspended indefinitely while he faces a felony first-degree burglary charge stemming from an incident on September 21.
Wade was SDSU's leading scorer in the 2007-2008 season, but police say he and another man, Brian Cepeda Ware, were involved in the attempted theft of a television from a woman’s apartment near San Diego State University. Wade pleaded not guilty the same day he was named to the preseason all-conference team in the Mountain West. All this came about after surrendering to authorities and spending a day in jail.
Aztecs coach Steve Fisher will be fair but judicious with both players. “We're going to reserve final judgment until this goes through the process, but I'm very disappointed and angry with a senior leader [Wade] that knows what's right and knows how to handle himself. We talk about it all the time, 'Don't you be the one that people are going to read about in the newspaper.' ”
Fisher said Wade's suspension began in early October. Wade, 22, is out on a $50,000 bond. If convicted, he faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to six years in jail.
As to Richie Williams, Fisher said, “I was under the assumption that everything he had been asked to do had been completed. Apparently, that's not that true.” Fisher said he first learned of Williams’ bench warrant when he was informed about the story hitting the Internet.
As to the team’s effectiveness in the 2008-2009 season, Fisher said, “We've certainly had to deal with more of them than you'd want, and I don't like it. . . . This should be a time where you're supposed to be excited about the first practice. This is an unwanted and unnecessary distraction that affects everyone.”
Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County
San Diego State University players are scrutinized because of their status as NCAA athletes. Even if you're not an athlete, driving while under the influence is still against the law. In California, it is unlawful for any person under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug to drive.
If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with driving under the influence or DUI if apprehended. You could face a fine and jail time if convicted.
Charge Sidelines Aztecs’ star Wade, Sign On San Diego.com, October 16, 2008
Axtecs Williams Admits DUI Guilt SignonSanDiego.com, January 10, 2008
Related Web Resources
California DMV on drunk driving
California DMV: if you are pulled over for DUI
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