Fifth-year senior quarterback Stephen Garcia has been dismissed from the football team, the university confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Garcia failed a substance test for alcohol on Oct. 4 and was informed of his dismissal Tuesday morning, two sources close to Garcia told The State.
“Being a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina is a privilege, not a right,” athletics director Eric Hyman said in a statement released by the school, “and we remind all of our student-athletes that there are consequences for their actions. For Stephen to return to and remain with the football squad this fall, we agreed on several established guidelines. Unfortunately, he has not been able to abide by those guidelines and has therefore forfeited his position on the roster. We wish him the best of luck as he moves forward in life.”
It has been a tumultuous two-week end to a tumultuous career for the Florida native. Garcia lost his starting job to sophomore Connor Shaw and attended the funeral of his grandfather last week. He entered the season chasing many of the school’s career passing records but leaves after completing 52 percent of his passes for 844 yards, nine
“We are all saddened that this has occurred,” said head coach Steve Spurrier. “We all feel like we’ve given Stephen numerous opportunities to be a student-athlete here at South Carolina. Obviously, he has chosen not to follow the guidelines of his reinstatement contract. We wish him the best.”
Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, Spurrier was asked by reporters if Garcia would be the backup this week against Mississippi State.
“We’ll see how all of that works out this week,” he said.
via Stephen Garcia kicked off football team – Football – GoGamecocks.com.
