The saga surrounding Stephen Garcia is threatening to jump to a higher energy level – one that could pit the talented signal-caller, his teammates and his head coach against University of South Carolina athletics director Eric Hyman, who several sources tell FITS is attempting to run Garcia out of town.
As it stands now, Garcia is serving an indefinite suspension for an incident that occurred last month at an SEC “life skills” event organized by Hyman’s wife, Pauline. Prior to that, he was suspended for the first week of spring practice for a hotel room incident that occurred prior to the Chick-Fil-A bowl in Atlanta last December.
As far as we’re concerned, neither incident rises to the level of dismissing Garcia from the program – which Hyman apparently recognizes. That’s why the athletics director is allegedly trying to make life so miserable for Garcia that he quits the team of his own volition.
Why would Hyman do that? Particularly given the Mickey Mouse nature of Garcia’s “crimes?” And more importantly given that Garcia clearly gives the Gamecocks the best chance to win games this fall?
We’re not sure … but we do know that the soap opera involving Hyman (and his wife) is threatening to turn this football program upside down at the very moment long-suffering Gamecock fans are tasting success on the gridiron for the first time in years.
Garcia – a fifth-year senior quarterback from Lutz, Florida – had his best season as a Gamecock in 2010. He threw for 3,059 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and had a 148.7 quarterback rating, joining with standout wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in providing an effective aerial complement to the bruising ground game of Marcus Lattimore.
Thanks in large part to the heroics of these three offensive superstars, USC won nine games last year for only the third time in the history of the program and won its first-ever SEC East championship. Despite a pair of embarrassing losses to end the season, USC still recorded its first Top 25 finish in nearly a decade.
With Garcia in the lineup, USC will be the clear favorite to win the SEC East again in 2011. Without him? South Carolina could see its expectations tempered dramatically.
USC head coach Steve Spurrier has said that the “door is open” for Garcia to return to the football team this fall. In fact, several of Garcia’s teammates tell FITS that Spurrier and Garcia speak on an almost daily basis – and that Spurrier has been interceding on Garcia’s behalf with Hyman and USC president Harris Pastides.
“With his degree in hand, he’s eligible to play anywhere in the country and he’s got another year remaining,” Spurrier said last month.
“Hopefully, it will work out that he’ll be back with us with maybe a lot better attitude than he’s ever had.”
Spurrier has also said repeatedly that Garcia’s status is a “university decision” – meaning he is basically washing his hands of any responsibility in the event Garcia is dismissed from the team.
While that is unlikely to happen, at least according to what we’ve been told, there is little doubt that Hyman wants Garcia out of his hair. In fact, the initial rumor we heard last weekend was that USC had yanked Garcia’s scholarship – prompting the quarterback to leave the program.
“That is not accurate,” USC spokesman Steve Fink told FITS. “He is still on scholarship.”
Well, he’s on scholarship until the end of the week – which is when he receives his degree.
After that, Garcia would be on his own – which is why we’re told he attempted to renew his scholarship last Thursday. According to multiple sources Garcia’s effort was rebuffed – making him the only returning USC player whose scholarship status for the upcoming season hasn’t been determined.
Fink declined to comment on Garcia’s effort to renew his scholarship, saying he didn’t have “anything new to add” to his previous statement. Another source at the University downplayed the significance of the incident, saying that Garcia is not allowed to participate in any football-related activities – including a meeting about his scholarship status.
“Stephen is upset about being excluded (from) events and not getting his (SEC East) ring with the rest of the guys,” the source said. “But those are football-related events and he is not allowed to attend them.”
Garcia did get his SEC East championship ring, we’re told.
Garcia spent last weekend in Tampa, prompting several people who knew of his whereabouts to speculate that he had left the program. Apparently, that’s when Garcia called a pair of his teammates to alert them that he had not left the team.
Several of Garcia’s teammates tell FITS that they did not hear about the incident until Saturday – and said they were wary to talk to us for fear of retribution from Hyman.
Granted anonymity to speak freely, Garcia’s teammates tell FITS that the senior quarterback is committed to returning to the program – even if USC refuses to renew his scholarship.
“He’ll walk on if he has to,” one player told us. “His family (has) money.”
They also say that Spurrier has made his support for Garcia well-known among the players.
“(Spurrier) may not like him all the time but he’s with him,” another player told us. “He helps him out … holds his hand.”
Garcia did not respond to messages left at a cell phone number provided by one of his teammates, but sources close to the quarterback echoed the statements of his teammates.
Frankly, if Garcia wants to come back … and if Spurrier and the majority of the USC football team want him to come back … it would seem as though Hyman is fighting an uphill battle if he is indeed trying to run the quarterback off.
Hopefully that isn’t what’s happening – and in Hyman’s defense one of our sources at USC says the athletics director isn’t trying to run Garcia off but is instead “just trying to get him to take this seriously.”
Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
By mr pitiful May 5, 2011 at 1:32 pm
They actually give out rings for “SEC East Championship?” That is the biggest piece of rewarding mediocrity bullshit I have ever heard of.
District Runner – up.
Pitiful…. As far as Kar-keyer, Garcia, once a punk always a punk……….
But the ole ball sack got nothing else in the pantry. Nothing. Six years in and he’s still one budweiser away from no QB at all.
Pitiful…
By d b May 5, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Diggin’ up bones ?
By CL May 5, 2011 at 1:38 pm
If Garcia is about to graduate, what need would he have for a scholarship next season?
By mrs. pitiless May 5, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Did Tajh Boyd get an ACC division championship ring?
By Alphonse May 5, 2011 at 1:58 pm
I’ve never trusted men with female anatomy names….I busted mine while riding a horse.
By Halftime May 5, 2011 at 2:20 pm
This is kinda like the “Man Gets 20 Years for Stealing a Pizza” story. The fact that the guy has a rap sheet longer than his arm and the pizza was the proverbial “straw” should come into play here. I would almost agree that these 2 incidents in and of themselves may not constitute dismissal or scholarship revokal but let’s not forget the very, very long rap sheet attached to this guy.
He has had more than his fair share of chances to develope this “lot better attitude” Spurrier speaks of and it just ain’t happening. Time to cut bait IMO.
By Michael May 5, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Could you please find out who the darn speakers were at the event in question? This seems to be the million dollar question no one wants to get out there.
By clemsonsucks May 5, 2011 at 2:41 pm
You do realize, Mr. Pitiful that clemmy also got a division championship ring? Right?
By The Flagship May 5, 2011 at 3:16 pm
We own the tigers at EVERY sport right now and it doesnt look to be changing for a bit. Its obvious they are going to be bitter on the boards and comment on articles they arent a part of. Nothing useful is going on in their neck of the woods so they are bored and butthurt.
By CNSYD May 5, 2011 at 3:36 pm
He needs another good year to have a prayer of being drafted next year. And by this I mean a good year both on and off the field, because, as DeAndre McDaniel can attest, a good career on the field can possibly be still leave you undrafted by “off the field issues” like when your girlfriend tells police of you, “He covered my head and face with a comforter and choked me, hit me and threw me down stairs.” OK, so underage drinking, nailing a Claflin professor’s car, and responding to personal trash-talking at a gay seminar aren’t the same as assault charges, but I digress. I just wanted this fine young man to be aware of the pitifals he might face if blessed with the change to return to the team if he doesn’t mind his conduct!
By Nikki's my bitch May 5, 2011 at 4:14 pm
CL
Garcia has to be enrolled as a student to play, even if he is taking graduate-level classes. So therefore he wants a scholarship to pay the tuition instead of having to come off the hip.
By mr pitiful May 5, 2011 at 4:29 pm
clemsonsucks,
I’m no Clemson fan. I’m an LSU man. Played football there in the 70′s. I don’t have an SEC Championship ring, but I do have souvenirs from the Sun, Liberty and Tangerine Bowls.
Garcia is a punk and he would have been long gone “back in the day.”
Memories, memories….
By shay May 5, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Scholarship students should be required to graduate in four years, no exceptions.
By reality May 5, 2011 at 5:00 pm
The Panthers selected Cam Newton as the number one player in this year’s NFL draft. Panthers didn’t care about Newton ’s cheating, nor did they care that he got caught red-handed with a stolen laptop. And they defiantly didn’t care about the large payoffs received by his father, the good reverend. They cared only about his spectacular ability to play football. So let’s stop being hypocrites. Image doesn’t matter for anything these days if it ever did. The only difference now is that in this age of 24-hour sports and news networks and blogs, we hear of all the players’ flaws and transgressions, when previously programs protected the players’ images by sweeping bad behavior under the rug or warehousing them in athletic dorms where they partied and played hard. Performance on the field is the only thing that matters in the business world of professional and college sports programs. Colleges are minor league teams for the pros. Let’s stop holding students up to some imaginary set of ideals just for administrators and athletic directors sake.
By Coach Bowden May 5, 2011 at 5:01 pm
If Stephen can beat Clempsen for the third straight year he’ll be my hero for life!
By Wolfpacker May 5, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Shay, NCAA allows players to play after graduating if they still are football eligible and enrolled in school. The Citadel has actively sought out fifth year quarterbacks who still had a year of eligibility left to start for them. They only play one year but they bring vast amounts of experience and leadership to the Bulldogs during that year, while they actively study for a Masters Degree. I may stand to be corrected, but I believe former NCSU Russell Wilson, who many hoped would play his final year at South Carolina falls under that category. Furthermore, there are several other graduate students who will be playing for South Carolina next fall and they are all impact players who will lead us to a championship.
By PBR May 5, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Lots of HATERS out there forget that they were once in college drinking underaged, pulling all nighters in Five Points, chasing tail 24-7, orchestrating fraternity pranks, and feeling invincible. Only difference is that Stephen Garcia has the eyes of the entire state of SC, SEC, and media watching his every move and constantly passing judgment on him. Yet Stephen has flourished as a student-athlete with a great GPA and will be graduating this week with a real degree,while being the top producer and star for a major multi-million dollar a year enterprise called the University of South Carolina Athletic Department. Yes he has made mistakes, but who among us hasn’t. Just saying, instead of just focusing on the negative, why can’t the haters look at his positives. I think he is a fine young man and proud to call him a Gamecock.
By mr pitiful May 5, 2011 at 5:43 pm
PBR,
I just threw up a little in the back of my mouth……..
I played. I partied. I graduated. And I NEVER put mysself ahed of my teammates or our team.
There’s the difference…..
By PBR May 5, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Pitiful, its obvious from your first comment and the one above you’d aren’t a Gamecock fan nor do you care about them winning with or without Stephen.
By mr pitiful May 5, 2011 at 6:42 pm
PBR,
I bought four season tickets for my family for 14 years until season before last. I cheered long and hard for the Chickens except when they played LSU. I spent a lot of money – and enjoyed spending it at football games and other USC athletic events. As far as the football progra, seeing absolutely no improvement, except for the occasional upset only to be followed by the predictable collapse and total embarassments in bowl games, Connecticut? I gave up.
I do want them to win. I just don’t see it happenning.
With or without Garcia.
They can’t finish a season and always have the November fade. Sure, that’s when they play tougher teams, but they always find a way to fold the tent in the last third of the season.
The Ole Ball Sack needs to hire a real strength and conditioning coach. What they have now, with all the facilities in place, and yes,I have been through them several times, is a total lack of effort on the field. We could argue all day about the success and failures of USC ane yes, LSU, but when it’s nut-cuttin’ time – the chickens head for the roost and the Tigers cut nuts.
By sterlingrogers May 5, 2011 at 6:54 pm
The only “serious” offense Garcia is guilty of is the “keying” offense from his FRESHMAN YEAR!!! The rest stem from “BEER” !! I know when I was a USC student a VERY large majority of the student body drank beverages far stronger than beer on occasion! Not to condone the consumption but it’s almost a right of passage in every college!!
And Mr. LSU, when you played at LSU the SEC wasn’t split into east & west!! And as the NCAA’s leading football conference (in present day) to win the east and west is a feat deserving of a championship ring,as are all divided major conferences!
Garcia is the SEC’s most tenured QB heading into the 2011 season
and can break the Gamecock’s QB career records in only 3 years as a starter. With Lattimore’s presence and a vastly improved O-line Garcia has a great chance for a stellar season. Defenses will be forced to keep a LB “in the box” to shadow Lattimore which can open up play action. I also believe Clowney’s presance along with the mere fact that USC landed the nation’s #1 recruit will have a big impact out of the gate there by giving a “swagger” to both sides of the ball!
Having been on the sidelines for USC’s win over #1 ranked BAMA will inspire the play of Clowney to his projected potential!
Bottom line,Garcia is the player’s ,coach’s and most importantly the Gamecock fan’s overwhelming choice to QB the Gamecocks in 2011 !! Are you listening Mr. & Mrs. Hyman?? The FANS WANT GARCIA !!!!
By Cockamighty May 5, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Sounds like Hyman’s wife wears the pants and isn’t the only pussy in that family.
By sterlingrogers May 5, 2011 at 8:33 pm
One thing about the final two games last year is the urgent need for an artificial turf practice facility .I am in no way making excuses for those two loses and we surely have lost on grass fields. But USC plays 95% of thier games on grass as do our opponents. Yet I do believe AUBURN is one exception? If you’ve played on artificial turf you know it’s not only the actual field and feeling comfortable ,it’s knowing what size cleat to wear and learning to overcome the increased chance for serious injury.I would love to see the end of artificial turf but the cost to convert to natural grass puts a quick halt to that proposal! perhaps in the future arriving early and or finding an A.turf facility to practice on will help? Again I realize BOTH teams are on the same field but one of our old catch phrases was “We kick ass on natural grass”.This must change!! We MUST learn from our mistakes!! And Mr. Pitiful ,you chose a most apropos “handle” for injecting spite and jealousy into your post and comments! Did coach Superior deny LSU a few times during his Florida days? HUMM ! The winningest active SEC coach deserves better! Come down from your hobby horse and give credit it’s due!! A heisman winning player who also coached a QB to the same award is spectacular! Surely a world class school as LSU has thier own site to spew your vitriolic verbage! We have been fine since 1801 and with our baseball World Series last year and SEC east RINGS ,we are a rising power in the SEC! Clowney knows just like “BO KNEW” We are starting to keep our recruits at home!! This makes 3 years in a row USC has landed S.C.’s ” MR. Football” !And we have a strong verbal for next years favorite!These are things that haven’t happened in the past. Just another sign!
By sterlingrogers May 5, 2011 at 9:07 pm
You’re right there Mr Almighty! No doubt! He needs a testosterone injection!
By Athletic Supporter May 5, 2011 at 9:08 pm
This mix up is much ado about nothing in my very humble opinion! The incident with Garcia did not involve him being drunk. He was fully sober. The team had a mandatory meeting that was set up as part of the SEC guidence committee and PR dept involving Leadership, Attitude and Image etc. . . This meeting, according to insiders, had a real “ass” for a speaker. Those attending said this guy told all the players right up front everything spoken in the meeting was COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL between himself and the players only. . .
Anyway, during the meeting they got into a discussion about proper attitude and “image”. One of the players (will not mention name because of promise) asked the speaker “how is it you feel Image and attitude is such a big thing when you have a guy like Cam Newton who with all the shit surrounding him, is now a top 5 draft pick, and has signed a multimillion dollar endorsement deal ? . . . The speaker could not respond with an adequate answer, and simply told this player not to interupt the discussion any more ?!?!!? . . .
Then, Garcia speaks up and asks the speaker “how is it you’re supposed to maintain proper attitude, when your coach is all the time dogging you out in front of the Media? Speaker responded again to quit interupting and Garcia and the sensitivity trainer had some words. Speaker at one point got some well placed cuss words hurled at him by Garcia. . . . . . SO The meeting that was supposed to be totally confidential got reported back to the coaches and Hyman, who in turned called Garcia to the office and suspended indefinately, and the other player who was said to have interupted the speaker “out of turn” is now running at 6:am every morning for the remainder of Spring Workouts. . . . . Garcia’s remark about Spurrier dogging him out in the press got back to Spurrier when it should have stayed in that room as promised. Garcia explained the circumstances to Spurrier who accepted what happened and has privately supported Garcia.
In another classless move Hyman declined to allow Garcia to recieve his senior ring at a formal ceremony in April. While requiring him to graduate in May and holding him to all other team rules and requirements, he would not allow him to attend the ceremony. This is easy to verify. Hyman’s problem is that Garcia is not an alcoholic, nor do any of his problems stem from any type of subtance abuse. Accordingly Hyman jumped too high too fast and has no idea what to do now. He is hoping by heaping indignaties on Garcia he will leave and that no decision will have to be made. Not going to happen. Ask any of the Grad Asst, off the record or players.
By Cocky2 May 5, 2011 at 11:31 pm
G-A-R-C-I-A! GO COCKS- FIGHT, WIN, KICK ASS!!!
By Margie Smith May 6, 2011 at 2:04 am
Let Stephen Garcia play. It will take the winds out of our sails if he is not allowed to. He is exciting to watch. I will be so
disappointed if he is not the starting quarterback come September.
By Michael P. May 6, 2011 at 10:22 am
Athletic Supporter – You might need some Desenex. Life sure must be different when you’re looking through garnet colored glasses.
How was Garcia supposed to get his “senior ring” when at the moment he was not an athlete at USC? Was Hyman supposed to say, “Okay Stephie, you can be back on the team for this one day, but tomorrow you’re off again.” If you’re off the team, you don’t participate in any athletic events… period. Maybe Stephie will remember this next time he shows up to an athletic event drunk or hung over.
By mr pitiful May 6, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Congratulations Chickens. You have finally surpassed the .500 level. All-time record 543–539–44 (.502)
By sterlingrogers May 6, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Mr. Athletic
By rambo5 May 6, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Mr. Pitiful
It sounds like you have an axe to grind here…care to explain? You’re obviously worked up enough to research all time records and percentages for a team you hate, which by the way has nothing to do with this article…
By sterlingrogers May 6, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Mr. Pitiful, thanks for spending your time researhing our record! It warms the cockells of my heart ! A fellow SEC member who realizes his team benefits from the success of the other teams in the SEC thru strength of schedule and exposure! This helps in rankings when the whole conference remains the perennial powerhouse in the NCAA! Golly gee wiz ,thats neato!
Athletic supporter, you have nada nad to support!
The ring & trophy ceremony was awarded to the 2010 squad and Hyman should have allowed this as other members of that squad who have finished school were in attendance!
Mr Pitfall,could you update our record after next season? And also after Clowny’s tenure! Golly gee,thanks!!
By sterlingrogers May 6, 2011 at 3:38 pm
OPPS, thats Clowney not clowny. I’m on my phone not my laptop.Yes ,as I stated ,the mere fact that USC is routinely keeping S.C.’s top players home and have a pipeline to Georgia and Florida ,landing the nation’s #1 recruit (and has been touted by Rivals and Scout as the top recruit in ten years! ) And we also have a well oiled pipeline to Virginia and New Jersey. Only a lifelong Gamecock can appreciate and understand the feeling and the positive outlook for the future of our program!
Hyman did over react in the Garcia situation,however he has raised our budget and now stand well the black! 11th Nationally!! Kudos on that!
If you LOVE the SEC we MUST stand together now as other conferences are forging full steam ahead with major T.V.contracts and merging or adding teams to counter the SEC! They all want us in thier crosshairs! Even the federal courts last week are trying to influence the BCS & bowl systems? Right or wrong ,NCAA football does NOT need government intrusion!!!! SEC FANS UNITE!!
By sterlingrogers May 6, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Well said Rambo5 ! Do you remember the statement Baccari Rambo of UGA made about Marcus Lattimore after last year’s victory ? Deffinately locker room fodder and added motovation for Lattimore! Lattimore was awarded “King of the weightroom this offseason! The S&C coach said “Marcus went into freak mode” ! Marcus added just over 20 LBS of solid muscle to his 6’1″ frame! O-M-G ! Rambo ,who is a safety or cornerback can only hope he has help! If he is making tackles then that means Lattimore has already broken the line and LB’s! Lattimore is poised for another great year with Jeffery as an outside threat! UM UM UM !!
By sterlingrogers May 6, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Athletic Supporter ,PLEASE excuse my comments directed towards you ! I had you mixed up with someone else! I’m away from my computer and have to tap in text on my phone! GO GAMECOCKS & GO SEC!!!!!
By Slovekian King May 11, 2011 at 3:43 pm
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2011/stephen-garcia-gamecocks-quarterback/
Look at Fits making a name for itself!
Pingback: Report: Gamecock AD’s Wife Had Stephen Garcia Suspended | South Carolina News Press | South Carolina Breaking News Headlines | SC
By Coastgamecock May 12, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Eric Hyman s a moron. He accuses Stephen Garcia of being immature then he pulls this stunt at the behest of his wife. She sounds like a woman scorned. Did Stephen rebuff her advances? Just curious.