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Lance Smith will play on
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Also by Bridget Roby:
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- Break in the action (March 13, 2008)
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- UW running back Smith pleads guilty to charges (October 24, 2007)
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by Bridget Roby
Friday, August 31, 2007
After a brief suspension following his mid-July arrest, sophomore running back Lance Smith was welcomed back on the University of Wisconsin football team Aug. 6. Freshman recruit John Clay has also been officially added to the team roster.
Smith was arrested the weekend of July 14 after an argument with his girlfriend allegedly turned violent. Although he was taken into custody on felony charges of robbery, false imprisonment and battery, Smith has since been charged with only two misdemeanor accounts — battery and disorderly conduct.
According to the UW athletics website, Smith has issued a public apology to all of those whom his actions affected.
"I first want to apologize to my girlfriend, my coaches, my teammates, our fans and the university community," Smith said. "My actions did not measure up to the standards we have here at Wisconsin."
According to the site, Smith has met with UW head coach Bret Bielema and plans to perform community service as well as receive counseling.
"My goal from this point forward is to conduct myself in a manner that I can be proud of," Smith said in his statement. "I am appreciative of the opportunity I have here and I intend to make the most of it."
According to Assistant District Attorney Mike Verveer, Smith's next court date is in a pre-trial conference.
"Because he was ultimately charged with misdemeanors rather than the felony charges that brought him to jail, those court dates are few and far between, as opposed to a felony case," Verveer said.
Smith's teammate, freshman John Clay, has also been officially added to the team roster, after a period of time in limbo while his summer grades were being processed.
"Like everyone else, student athletes have to be cleared through the NCAA Clearinghouse and have to be admitted to school here, and that process just took a little longer for him," said Justin Doherty, assistant athletic director for communications.
According to Doherty, Clay attended his first team practice Aug. 17.
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