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UGA athletic director sorry but not resigning after DUI charge

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • University of Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans was arrested in Atlanta on DUI charge
  • Evans called news conference to apologize, and said he wants to keep his job
  • Evans says he understands UGA needs to uphold its reputation
  • He didn't comment on the events leading to the charge

(CNN) -- University of Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans says he "sincerely apologizes" for actions that led to a driving-under-the-influence charge Wednesday night, but Evans says he will not resign.

"My desire is to keep my job," Evans said Thursday at a news conference at the university in Athens, Georgia. "This is my alma mater."

He said, however, he respects the university's policies and understands the institution needs to uphold its reputation.

A Georgia state trooper pulled the 40-year-old Evans over at 11:55 p.m. Wednesday as he was driving in Atlanta, and the officer smelled alcohol, CNN affiliate WGCL reported. Evans failed a field sobriety test and was taken to the city jail, WGCL said. A 28-year-old woman who was in the car with Evans also was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, WGCL said.

"I feel like my actions have put a black cloud over our storied program," Evans said at his news conference. He said there were many individuals who deserved an apology from him, particularly his wife and two children.

"I made a grave, grave mistake that will be with me for the rest of my life. I have to turn it into one that will teach me," Evans, who was a starter on the UGA football team from 1988-1992, said.

Evans was selected as athletic director in 2003 and "oversees a nationally recognized program with 21 intercollegiate sports teams involving more than 600 student-athletes, an $84 million budget and a 260 person staff," according the university's athletics website. He also is chairman of the NCAA Division I Leadership Council.

Evans addressed the Bulldog nation, as UGA fans and alumni are known, and said, "I will do everything in my power to make to make you believe in me again."

Evans had previously taped an anti-drinking and driving public service announcement that played during home football games, WGCL reported.

Evans did not comment on the events that led to his charge, citing the pending legal case.