Georgia Bulldog 2011 Commit, Christian LeMay, Won't Play in 2010

The final word is in and the decision is final, Christian LeMay, the highly-touted QB recruit out of North Carolina, will not play his senior season of high school football for the Butler Bulldogs.

LeMay, suspended back in June for committing a violation of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School's (CMS) code of conduct rule, appealed the decision of the disciplinary board on July 26th—hoping for some leniency on what LeMay's father described as a "youthful infraction" which did not involve violence or weapons.

LeMay was given a 40-day suspension (total) for the act, and was told that he could return to Butler after his suspension was served. However, by doing so, LeMay would have all but forfeited his senior season as the starting quarterback for his high school football team.

The senior LeMay introduced the possibility of his son finishing out his career at a private school, but was hopeful that the situation would not come to that end.

However, after their appeal was denied, the family felt the best route for Christian to take would be to complete his studies in a "private setting" and enroll at the University of Georgia in December—as initially planned.

He will continue to work independently with a trainer and QB coache until that time so that he can remain in football shape.


His commitment to Georgia remains solid, as evidenced by the statement below, and also gives the impression that the  touches Georgia Bulldogs are still high on him as well.

No word yet on how this might affect his overall recruiting ranking, or if there is any reason to believe that this will affect his standing with the UGA admissions committee—currently the latter is not thought to be a concern, but one never knows in situations like these.

The full statement, given by LeMay's father, read as follows:

We first want to thank all of those who have supported our family during this time. The e-mails, letters, text and words of encouragement have been life fueling from supporters of Christian both locally and nationwide. We specifically want to thank (incoming Georgia recruits) Christian Conley and Ray Drew for standing with our son and contacting him daily, Panthers wide receiver Kenny Moore and QB training coach Steve Calhoun for working him out over the summer. Also, Sporting News and all the other recruiting networks that maintained Christian’s National Ranking on their boards.

As a result of Christian’s youthful infraction (that does not involve drugs, weapons or any form of violence), Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools imposed a severe punishment on our son ... which we appealed to their highest form of due process.

On July 26th the CMS board maintained the merciless ruling of a 40-day reassignment to an alternative school “to possibly be reviewed in 30 days”. (This was) in addition to a four-day suspension already served. The ruling also states that after completing the reassignment days, he could “possibly” return to Butler, meaning it is “possible” that he could not return to Butler.

Adhering to such a severe ruling would not only prevent Christian from playing until November due to the 10-day conditioning rule (if he returned to Butler HS), but it would also hinder him academically as the alternative school does not provide the required classes needed for him to finish in the fall of 2010 and move on to the University of Georgia in January.

Given the unwillingness of CMS to apply a more reasonable consequence for such a youthful infraction, as disheartening as it is, we must make the decision to move on and focus Christian’s attention to preparing for enrollment at the University of Georgia in January. Although, rumors suggest that Christian would likely transfer to one of the excellent programs such as (Duncan) Byrnes (S.C.), (Rock Hill) South Pointe, Greensboro Dudley and even Victory Christian Center, Christian could not imagine playing his senior season at any place other than with his brother Uriah and his teammates at Butler High School.

Therefore, having come to resolve that following the CMS consequence would not accomplish “student achievement” for Christian, we as a family have concluded that he will forgo his senior football season and focus on his preparation to attend the University of Georgia.

We are quite honored that other colleges continue to show strong interest in Christian attending their school. However, we have continued healthy communications with (Georgia) coaches and the commitment remains the same on both ends.

Christian will now prepare himself for the next season of his life as he takes this time to become stronger, spiritually, academically and physically. With the help of fitness trainer Andy Hendel of Cross fit Charlotte and QB coach Steve Calhoun of Armed and Dangerous, Christian will certainly be prepared to arrive in Georgia this spring ready to compete. We are fully confident that his best days are still yet to come. GO BULLDOGS!!!

The LeMay Family

So, what say you? Are you concerned that LeMay won't have any on-field action this season?

Georgia QB Prospect LeMay Gets Max Suspension—Will Appeal

According to the Charlotte Observer, Butler High School quarterback—and current Georgia Bulldog prospect—Christian LeMay was given the max level suspension for an offense he committed at the end of the 2009-10 school year. Although the offense has not been specified, his father Stacy LeMay has assured the public that it was merely a "youthful infraction" and did not include "drugs, weapons, or any form of violence".

The next step  in the process, naturally, will be an appeal of the suspension. LeMay's father feels that they have a good chance of seeing a "...favorable outcome" due to his son's prior track record as a non-disciplinary problem.

That said, if his appeal is denied, the young man would forego enrollment in the alternative school—which his father states is for "kids who have habitual behavioral problems"—in favor of finishing out his playing career at a private school in the area.

As of now, there is no reason to believe that LeMay will be denied entry into the University of Georgia and his father feels hopeful that his son will be ready to enroll in Athens in Spring 2011—as originally planned.

For now, the appeals process will be set into motion and likely will not be ruled on until the end of August—at which point, the next step will be determined.

The Butler High School Bulldogs are rated the No. 2 team in the nation by at least one poll and would like to defend their state championship this season. LeMay is the leader of this team and, said his coach, "We'll win a lot of games if Riley (LeMay's backup) has to start for us, but there's just no substitute for Christian's experience. It would be good for us if he were able to help us defend our state championship."

As Bernie Dawg points out, the pressure on the disciplinary committee could prove to be too much in this instance, especially given the relatively squeaky-clean image offered by LeMay up to this point. 

Christian LeMay Suspension Decision Could Take Another 7-10 Days

According to a report by Dallas Jackson of Rivals, the decision on Christian LeMay's suspension could take another week or more. The 2011 Georgia quarterback commit violated a rule in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools code of conduct guide and faces up to a 30-day suspension—the nature of the violation has not been revealed.

A disciplinary hearing was held on June 14th and afterwards, LeMay's father released the following written statement to the media:

“We would first like to thank so many of you who have shown your love, support and rendered prayers for our family at this time. The overwhelming outpouring of community affection has been tremendous. Christian is the oldest of our four children and as parents we could not have asked nor designed a more special young man then himself. He has for 17 years lead by example and done remarkably well with the responsibility. We truly believe that children are a joy and one of the most precious gifts we could ever receive from God.

“Yet sometimes, despite all the teachings and training there comes a time in every individuals life in which they are faced with choices. In a perfect world our children would always make right choices. However, reality says sometimes they may make a decision that is unwise and youthful in nature. Recently Christian, in a momentary lapse in good judgment,  yielded to an out-of-character decision that even he is not proud of. Like many of us, we are sure, he will look back on this time with regret as well as having gained a valuable learned experience.

“For seventeen years Christian has been a model child, exemplary student and a wonderful asset to his community. He has been giving, encouraging others, loving and honoring to all who know him. We are standing with our Son to provide love and support and to insure his successful progression from this point. We would also like to thank CMS for their student care and academic concern towards this matter. We trust that Christian will emerge stronger from this experience and regain the faith of all his supporters. We thank all of you for your continued prayers and are believing for the best.”

Sincerely

The LeMay Family

At the conclusion of the hearing, it was thought that a decision on the future of LeMay's senior season at Butler High School would be known within ten days of the hearing. However, the disciplinary board can take as many as 14-days or more to determine their punishment.

If LeMay is suspended for the full 30-days, he will not be allowed to make his return to in-season play until after the regular season is over. He would, essentially, be given the opportunity to make a playoff run with the Bulldogs—nothing more.

How this effects his standing with the University of Georgia is subject to rampant speculation and, really, no one knows if it will make a difference.  That said, it is something to keep an eye on as the days progress because—if the details of this violation ever are released—the admissions committee at Georgia could see fit to do a little review of its own and that is never a good thing.

As of now, this is simply a high school issue—nothing more—and there is little reason for me or anyone else to believe that LeMay will be anything less than a Bulldog come 2011.