SAD NEWS: BULLDOGS HEAD COACH WAS SUSPENDED DUE TO …..
Victoria Bowles, who survived the fatal crash on Jan. 15, 2023, that killed Georgia staff member Chandler LeCroy and Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock, has alleged that supervisors and coaches “encouraged” recruiting staff to drink alcohol at recruiting events with players’ families.
LeCroy, Willock and Bowles were in the SUV that reached top speeds of 104 mph when allegedly racing with Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. LeCroy, who had a blood alcohol concentration of .197, was behind the wheel when she lost control and swerved off the road, hitting two utility poles and two trees.
Bowles, who survived the crash but sustained serious injuries, is suing the University of Georgia Athletics Association, Carter, LeCroy’s estate and other parties for damages.
According to court documents obtained by ESPN, Bowles’ attorneys allege that Georgia Bulldogers staffers routinely rented vehicles after consuming alcohol during recruiting events for the football program. The lawyers also allege in a complaint that the Bulldogs’ assistant football coaches used cash to pay for recruiting expenses during unofficial recruiting visits, a potential NCAA violation.
The UGA Athletic Association has previously denied all allegations that LeCroy had permission to drive the rented SUV for personal use. However, the complaint also contains text messages allegedly showing supervisors and coaches encouraging staff to drink alcohol with football recruits and their families.
The two-time defending NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State University Bulldogs open up postseason play against rival Grand Valley State in the first round of the D2 Playoffs on Saturday. FSU is 8-2.
Ferris State will be making its ninth consecutive NCAA D2 Playoff appearance, which is the longest active stretch in the country.
Grand Valley State enters the contest with a 9-1 overall record and went 6-0 in GLIAC regular-season play. The Lakers beat the Bulldogs 49-28 in the regular season on Oct. 14 in Allendale when they bolted out to a 35-0 lead early in the second quarter before FSU pulled back within a score in the third period.
But what will be different this time is the absence of Ferris coach Tony Annese. He was suspended after last season for one future playoff game for a cigar smoking incident in the Ferris lockerroom at the 2022 NCAA Division II national title game in Texas.