UGA Lineman May Not Miss Games

DUI charges he faced reduced; suspension is discretionary

By CHIP TOWERS / www.ajc.com / Published on: 07/30/08

Georgia offensive lineman Clint Boling might not be suspended after all.
Boling, a sophomore guard from Alpharetta, confirmed to the Journal-Constitution on Wednesday that DUI charges against him were reduced to reckless driving. Boling declined further comment.

Earlier this month, Boling was suspended for the first two games of this season by head coach Mark Richt as a result of those charges. However, no one could say for certain whether Boling would be fully reinstated.

Richt was in Connecticut and Boston on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment. Claude Felton, UGA's director of sports communication, confirmed that the charges against Boling were reduced but could not say how that development might affect Boling's status on the team."That's something I'm sure Coach Richt will address," Felton said.

Alcohol-related convictions are automatic suspensions under the Georgia Athletic Association's conduct code but misdemeanors are left to the coach's discretion, and Richt typically doesn't discipline players for traffic offenses.

Boling, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound graduate of Chattahoochee High, played in all 13 games and started 11 as a true freshman last season. He is slated to start again this season.
According to police reports, Boling, 19, was pulled over for leaving the roadway and changing lanes without using a turning signal at 1:30 a.m. on May 14 in Alpharetta. He refused a breathalyzer test and was arrested for DUI.

Boling's development brightens what was once a bleak-looking offseason in terms of disciplinary issues. Georgia had seven football players arrested various offenses between Jan. 21 and July 3 of this year. However, only three will have to miss games as a result.

Sophomore defensive end Michael Lemon was dismissed from the team earlier this month after being charged with felony aggravated battery. Fullback Fred Munzenmaier (two games) and safety Donavon Baldwin (one game) were suspended for alcohol-related offenses.
Richt decided offensive linemen Justin Anderson and Trinton Sturdivant would not be suspended after charges of simple battery brought against them by a pregnant woman were resolved through UGA via informal resolution. Police dismissed a concealed-weapons charge against another Georgia player.