Men’s basketball player Will Egolf was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony on Dec 31.
As stated in the Jan 1 Peoria Journal Star article titled “Bradley center Will Egolf arrested on drug charge,” at approximately 8:12 p.m. Dec 31 a Peoria County Sheriff’s Deputy was on patrol when he approached a parking lot where Main Street turns into Western Ave. The officer investigated the area and reported suspicious activity from two parked cars, which belonged to Egolf and Jared Fletcher of Peoria.
Six non-prescription Vicodin pills were found in Egolf’s vehicle, which he told police that he purchased from Fletcher. Egolf said he was not addicted to the drugs, but rather purchased the pills to ease pain in his right knee caused by ACL injuries.
Both men were arrested and vehicles were towed. Egolf was released from jail on Jan 2.
According to a Peoria Journal Star article titled “Bradley center pleads to felony drug charge; gets probation,” Egolf plead guilty to a felony drug possession charge on Jan 11. The court ordered two years probation, 30 hours of public service and fined $730. The sixth-year starter was also ordered to undergo drug and alcohol treatment as needed.
“First and foremost I want to apologize to my family, teammates, coaches, trainers, fans and the Bradley administration for my recent actions,” Egolf said in a statement released Jan 15. “I deeply regret letting down the people who have done so much for me over the years and putting them in this situation. Throughout my career, the Bradley community has given me so many amazing opportunities and experiences and for that I owe many people a sincere apology for the events that led up to my arrest. I intend to do everything I can in order to correct my mistake.”
Egolf was suspended from the team for four games but was able to resume workouts with the team in early January.
“Will’s situation is a reminder that good people sometimes make bad decisions,” said men’s basketball Coach Geno Ford in a statement released on Jan 15. “But there are repercussions for poor decisions.”
Egolf missed most of the 2008-09 season and all of 2011-12 after tearing the ACL in his right knee twice. In a rare sixth-year of eligibility, he is averaging career-bests of 8.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while leading the Braves in 3-point shooting.
“Will brings energy and communication to the team, as well as a level of skill. He is the team’s best 3-point shooter, which stretches the opposing team’s defense and opens driving lanes for Walt Lemon and Dyricus Simms-Edwards,” said Bradley Athletics Associate AD for Communications Bobby Parker. “He also impacts the game at the defensive end as a communicator, as a man-to-man defender in the post and as a shot-blocker. Despite missing five games this year, he owns more than half of the team’s charges and he still leads the team in defensive rebounds.”
