
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 15, 1990                   TAG: 9005150077
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COLLEGE PARK, MD.                                LENGTH: Medium

TERP COACH CHARGED WITH DRUNKEN DRIVING

University of Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams will remain on the job pending his trial on a drunken driving charge and two other traffic violations, a university spokesman said Monday.

No action by the college is planned against Williams because he is presumed innocent until proven guilty, assistant sports information director Ivan Meltzer said.

Williams, 45, did not return telephone calls Monday and athletic director Lew Perkins would say little about the arrest.

"I remain supportive of our basketball coach," Perkins said in a statement.

"I am sorry this took place, but right now my concern is for Gary Williams. Any further comment on my part would not be appropriate," Perkins' statement said.

Williams' arrest adds to the image problems of the university's basketball program, which received harsh sanctions from the NCAA this year because of recruiting violations under former coach Bob Wade.

Williams' car was stopped on the Capital Beltway about 1:50 a.m. Saturday by a state trooper who reported Williams was driving 65 mph in a 55 mph zone and weaving between lanes, said state police spokesman Edwin Lashley.

Trooper Christopher Sasse followed Williams for about a mile before stopping him, Lashley said.

Williams failed a sobriety test on the highway and failed another test at the Rockville State Police barracks, police said.

He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving without a license and failing to drive in a single lane, State Police Cpl. Vincent Maas said Monday.

All three charges are misdemeanors. A drunken driving conviction in Maryland carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

by CNB