Gonzaga Basketball Coach Facing DUI Charge
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Mark Few, the longtime basketball coach at Gonzaga, is facing a DUI charge after he was arrested early Sunday morning in Spokane, Wash.
Gonzaga Basketball Coach Facing DUI Charge
Mark Few, the winningest coach in Gonzaga University Basketball History is facing a DUI charge in Washington State
Few was arrested early Saturday morning in Spokane Valley and released later that day on his own recognizance, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 11.
Gonzaga issued a statement Saturday afternoon saying it was aware of the arrest and is gathering information.
“We take this matter very seriously and will handle it appropriately once we have all the facts,” the statement said.
Few has been Gonzaga’s Head Coach since 1999, compiling a 667-134 record over 20 seasons. The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation with a 21-1 record.
What Happened?
Mark Few, the highly successful head basketball coach at Gonzaga University, was arrested early Sunday morning on a DUI charge in Spokane, Washington.
Few, 52, was stopped by police around 2:00 a.m. after he was seen driving erratically. He failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody. His blood alcohol level was later determined to be .08, above the legal limit of .08 in Washington State
This is not the first time Few has been in trouble with the law. In 2008, he was cited for negligent driving after he crashed his car into a tree while trying to avoid an animal in the road. He pleaded guilty and paid a $500 fine.
Few is one of the most successful Basketball Coaches in the country. He has been head coach at Gonzaga since 1999 and has led the team to 18 consecutive NCAA tournaments, including six Sweet Sixteen appearances and two Elite Eight appearances.
The Aftermath
Mark Few, the long time and successful basketball coach at Gonzaga University, was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with DUI. This is his first offense. He has been placed on administrative leave by the university pending the outcome of the investigation.
In the meantime, Assistant Coach Brian Michaelson will serve as the interim Head Coach The Bulldogs are scheduled to play Pepperdine on Thursday night
The Charges
DUI
Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few is facing a DUI charge after he was pulled over early Sunday morning in Spokane, Wash.
Few, 53, was stopped by Spokane police at around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday after he was spotted driving erratically, according to a police report obtained by the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
When officers approached Few’s car, they smelled alcohol and noticed that he had bloodshot eyes and was slurring his speech, the report said.
Few refused to take a breathalyzer test and was placed under arrest for DUI, the report said. He was released from custody later that day on his own recognizance.
The Blood Alcohol Level
Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, it takes about one hour for the body to metabolize and eliminate one “standard drink” from the system. In general, men metabolize alcohol more quickly than women do, and people with a higher percentage of body fat will eliminate alcohol more slowly than those with less body fat.
The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in most states is 0.08%. This means that if you are stopped by the police and your BAC is 0.08% or higher, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Depending on the state, you may also be charged with DUI if your BAC is below 0.08%, but you are still impaired while driving.
If you are charged with DUI, you will likely face consequences such as jail time, fines, mandatory alcohol education classes, and a driver’s license suspension. In some states, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, which requires you to blow into a breathalyzer before the car will start.
The Potential Penalties
Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few was arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the Spokane Police Department.
Few, 54, was arrested at 12:52 a.m. near Gonzaga’s campus and booked into the Spokane County Jail, where he was released on his own recognizance about four hours later, records show.
Police say they responded to a report of an impaired driver and found Few stopped in his car in the middle of an intersection. He failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody, police say.
The maximum penalty for a first-time DUI offender in Washington State is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The Potential Impact
According to court documents, Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few was arrested on Saturday night and charged with driving under the influence. His bail was set at $500 and he was released on his own recognizance.
This is not the first time that Few has been in the news for his alcohol-related offenses. In 2015, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated after attending a wedding. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to two days in jail and 36 hours of community service.
Given that this is now his second offense, it is likely that he will be facing more severe penalties this time around. This could potentially include a longer jail sentence, a larger fine, or even a suspension from coaching.
The impact of this DUI charge on Few’s career is yet to be seen, but it is sure to be significant.
The Community’s Reaction
Since news broke that Gonzaga Basketball Coach Mark Few was facing a DUI charge, the community has been divided in its reaction. Some feel that Few should be punished to the full extent of the law, while others believe that he should be given a second chance.
Many people in the community have come to Few’s defense, saying that he is a good man who has made a mistake. They believe that he should be allowed to continue coaching the team, and that he will learn from his mistake.
Others believe that coaching is a privilege, not a right, and that Few should lose his job as a result of his actions. They argue that anyone who breaks the law should not be in a position of authority over young people
What do you think? Should Mark Few be allowed to continue coaching Gonzaga Basketball or should he lose his job as a result of his DUI charge?
The Coach’s Reaction
According to the Spokane police department, Mark Few, the winningest coach in Gonzaga Basketball history, was arrested early Sunday morning on a DUI charge.
The news of the arrest came as a shock to the basketball community, and Coach Few released a statement shortly after the news broke. In the statement, he said that he was “embarrassed and disappointed” by his actions and that he “takes full responsibility for his actions.” He went on to say that he is “committed to making changes in his life” and that he “will do everything in [his] power to regain the trust and respect of those [he has] let down.”
The Future
It is still unclear what the future holds for Gonzaga Men’s Basketball Head coach Mark Few, who was recently charged with driving under the influence.
The court has set a hearing for early next month, and until then Few has been released on his own recognizance. He has also been ordered to not consume alcohol and to submit to regular testing.
Few has been the head coach of the Bulldogs since 1999 and has led them to 16 NCAA tournament appearances, including four Sweet Sixteen appearances and one Elite Eight appearance. In that time, he has amassed a record of 528-138 (.790).
In light of the recent charges, some have called for Few to be fired or to step down from his position. However, it is still unclear what will happen or what the consequences will be for him. For now, we will have to wait and see how this story unfolds.