A former recruiting analyst for the University of Georgia alleges that Georgia Bulldogs staffers regularly drove rented vehicles drunk, according to court documents obtained by ESPN.
Victoria Bowles, who survived the fatal crash on Jan. 15, 2023, that killed Georgia staff member Chandler LeCroy and Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock, has alleged that supervisors and coaches “encouraged” recruiting staff to drink alcohol at recruiting events with players’ families.
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LeCroy, Willock and Bowles were in the SUV that reached top speeds of 104 mph when allegedly racing with Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. LeCroy, who had a blood alcohol concentration of .197, was behind the wheel when she lost control and swerved off the road, hitting two utility poles and two trees.
Bowles, who survived the crash but sustained serious injuries, is suing the University of Georgia Athletics Association, Carter, LeCroy’s estate and other parties for damages.
According to court documents obtained by ESPN, Bowles’ attorneys allege that Georgia Bulldogers staffers routinely rented vehicles after consuming alcohol during recruiting events for the football program. The lawyers also allege in a complaint that the Bulldogs’ assistant football coaches used cash to pay for recruiting expenses during unofficial recruiting visits, a potential NCAA violation.
“The new texts included in the Amended Complaint establish that the Association was fully aware recruiting staffers were regularly allowed to drive recruits and their families around Athens after drinking alcohol at Association sponsored events. Some texts even show that football coaches and recruiting supervisors, in effect, encouraged staffers to drink with football prospects’ families.”
Victoria Bowles’ attorney on text messages submitted as evidence against the Georgia Bulldogs
The UGA Athletic Association has previously denied all allegations that LeCroy had permission to drive the rented SUV for personal use. However, the complaint also contains text messages allegedly showing supervisors and coaches encouraging staff to drink alcohol with football recruits and their families.
One specific allegation details that assistant coaches and staff, including those on the recruiting team, were permitted to drink alcohol at Kirby Smart’s house during recruiting events. Then, after drinking alcohol, the Bulldogs’ coaching staff is accused of allowing the recruiting staff to leave the events knowing they were intoxicated.
The complaint includes a text message from then-Georgia director of player personnel Marshall Malchow, who on Dec. 14, 2019, allegedly texted 13 Bulldogs’ staff members.
‘”Hey guys… if you are driving you can have fun at Coach Smarts but if you are driving a recruit make sure you don’t get drunk. It will be a bad look if we have people who are supposed to be driving recruits getting lit.”
Alleged text from former Georiga Bulldogs director of player personnel Marshall Malchow to staffers
The suit includes allegations that Georgia football coaches used cash to cover costs on unofficial recruiting visits, which is forbidden by NCAA rules. Furthermore, Bowles’ complaint accused Carter of illegally leaving the scene of a fatal accident without rendering aid or speaking to law enforcement.
Bowles’ attorneys cite in documents that she suffered “likely permanent disability” and more than $170,000 in medical expenses caused by three lumbar fractures, five fractured vertebrae, 10 broken ribs, a broken clavicle, fractured teeth, a puncture and collapsed lung and abdominal bleeding.
