Coverdale cited for illegal consumption

Riding an emotional high after IU easily defeated Southern Illinois 85-63 Dec. 2, sophomore Tom Coverdale was cited for illegal consumption by Indiana State Police, his second alcohol offense of the year.\nCoverdale, 20, said he was embarrassed about the incident.\n"I want to apologize for embarrassing my parents, my family, my coaches, my teammates and the entire state of Indiana," Coverdale said after IU's 87-59 win against Western Michigan Friday. "I had two drinks and called a friend to take me home. He didn't use his turn signal, and they pulled (us) over. I didn't have a high blood-alcohol level, but it was two drinks too many. I've learned my lesson. I'll be embarrassed about that for a while."\nDespite Coverdale receiving the citation and being arrested for illegal consumption May 26 outside The Bluebird Nightclub, 216 N. Walnut St. -- in which he spent a few hours in jail and entered a pre-trial diversion program involving community service -- interim head coach Mike Davis said he did not suspend Coverdale because he said he thought Coverdale was sorry about the infraction.\n"I thought he was remorseful, and the right thing to do may have been to suspend him, but I believe he meant what he said about being sorry," Davis said. "I gave him a curfew for the remainder of the year and he's going to get counseling. If he misses curfew or counseling he will no longer have a scholarship here at Indiana."\nDavis said he has set a 10 p.m. curfew for Coverdale every night.\nCoverdale said he doesn't have a drinking problem but said he agrees with Davis' decision and can live with his restrictions.\n"I think they're very appropriate because I embarrassed a lot of people," Coverdale said. "If he's giving me this chance, what can I say? It took a lot of guts for him to play me. There won't be a next time."\nCoverdale is not the first player on this year's basketball team to get in trouble with the law. Sophomore forward Jeffrey Newton was arrested June 3 near Scottsburg, Ind. for a misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Junior guard Dane Fife, was arrested June 15 for illegal consumption outside Kilroy's Sports Bar, 319 N. Walnut St.\nAs a result of these incidents, Davis said he would consider moving the entire team into one of the residence halls.\n"Right now it's too loose with these guys staying in the apartments," Davis said. "These are young guys, and they don't understand making a commitment and making the right choice.\n"I need to be in a situation where I can be hands-on with these guys," Davis said. "Maybe I can't do anything about it right now, but there's going to be a point where they all will be in the same apartment complex or a dormitory."\nSophomore guard Kyle Hornsby said he would like to live in the same area with his teammates.\n"I think it would put guys in a situation where we have to be extremely tight," Hornsby said. "I think the best teams are the closest teams. Most of the teams that are great, enjoy playing together, they're one cohesive unit, and that can help us achieve that"