Wood Put on Administrative Leave Following DUI Charge
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University officials confirmed earlier today that the University of Mary Washington’s men’s head basketball coach Rod Wood was placed on administrative leave following a DUI arrest on Wednesday night, as first reported by The Free Lance-Star.
Wood, who’s been in charge of the men’s basketball program since 1996, will not coach the Eagles’ regular season finale against Wesley College today, and his status for Thursday’s home Capital Athletic Conference tournament game is unknown at this time.
Wood was cited by Fredericksburg police for speeding on Route 1. According to UMW Athletic Director Ed Hegmann, Wood refused to take a breathalyzer once he was pulled over. He was released on Thursday and has a court date set for mid-March.
A police officer can make a DUI arrest based on observed characteristics of the person in suspicion, including the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the breath, the imparied ability to walk and speak, and other physical signs that are indicative of alcohol consumption, according to Natatia Bledsoe, city police spokesperson.
Wood’s arrest followed the Eagles’ 94-59 senior night victory over Stevenson University earlier on Wednesday evening.
Hegmann said in a phone interview that Wood’s future with the university going forward will be determined in a meeting scheduled for early next week. The longtime AD expressed regret that the situation occurred.
“Everybody makes mistakes; we are all human,” Hegmann said. “Rod made a mistake and it’s unfortunate timing but that’s how life is. You can’t plan when these things will occur. Hopefully he’ll just learn from this mistake and become a better person from it.”
The Bullet has reached out to Wood for comment and is waiting for a response at this time.
The four-time conference coach of the year had his team (17-7, 12-3) tied for first in the CAC standings heading into today’s regular season finale. The Eagles have already secured a first-round bye in next week’s conference tournament, but a victory this afternoon would clinch the No. 1 overall seed and home court advantage for UMW.
