Damon Evans boasted one of the most prestigious positions in the NCAA. After being hired as the athletic director at the University of Georgia in 2004, Evans became the first black athletic director at a South Eastern Conference school. In four years, Evans played a major role in earning UGA’s athletic department more than $67 million.
Evans’ dedication to excellence influenced the president of the University of Georgia to give him a raise that would have allowed him to earn $550,000 annually. However, Evans was recently forced to step down as the athletic director after getting arrested on DUI charges.
According to police reports, Evans, who is married, was arrested on drunk driving charges after leaving an Atlanta nightclub with a 28-year-old woman. When police pulled Evans over, he began crying. Red panties, which Evans explained he was holding for his companion, were in his lap.
Evans has resigned as UGA’s athletic director and received a severance package worth $100,000.
Minorities have always found it difficult to obtain powerful positions at Division I schools. By allowing alcohol and loose women to cloud his judgement, Evans’ spectacular fall from grace will make it difficult for the next minority to obtain such a highly regarded position. –amir shaw
