There is no denying that a driving under the influence violation is costly. Just how costly was it for one University of Connecticut basketball player? It may have cost more than $100.000.
The UConn men's basketball program has suspended Tyler Olander indefinitely after his second brush with the law in six months. As reported in www.courant.com.
Olander was pulled over by state police and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, operating (or towing) an unregistered motor vehicle and driving without a license.
Olander was arrested after failing standardized field sobriety tests.
The 21-year-old Olander was arrested in Florida during spring break last March when he refused to leave private property after being asked by police. He had missed the final game of the season March 9 with a broken foot, but went to Florida for spring break shortly after his surgery and was arrested in Panama City.
He had his chance to redeem himself. Olander was accepted into a pretrial diversionary program, in which he paid a $280 fine and was to perform community service.
Olander is a 6-foot-11 senior forward who started 26 games last season until he missed the season finale because of a broken foot. UConn (20-10) was banned from the postseason for substandard academic performance.
Last year the 230-pound Olander averaged 4.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks. He scored 16 and had seven rebounds in a victory at No. 17 Notre Dame in what might have been his best game.
I hope this is a huge wake-up call for the big man. He is only 21 and has plenty of time to lead a productive life. I hope he enrolls in a level 3 alcohol awareness and DUI class and seeks counseling for possible addiction issues.