Stanford's leading tackler from the 2010 season, and standout in his first two games of 2011 before a season-ending knee injury, faces possible legal trouble and suspension or dismissal from the team after being arrested for DUI over the weekend. Cardinal Linebacker Shane Skov's case in in the process of being referred to the Palo Alto District Attorney's office, according to the Stanford Daily, and until the legal process is executed, questions will remain regarding his ongoing status with the team.
Stanford Head Coach David Shaw noted, "It's a matter we are taking very seriously. Shayne will be responsible to adhere to any legal responsibilities regarding this event, along with internal ramifications, which will be determined by the program" but didn't get into any specifics as to what type of ramifications that would mean.
While this type of incident isn't unheard of in the world of NCAA athletics, it rarely leads to team dismissal on the first offense. Then again, though, we are talking about Stanford, and as the Daily points out:
Recent history has shown that Stanford has not shied away from suspending or dismissing key players on championship caliber teams.
In 2007, forward Brook Lopez was suspended indefinitely from the men's basketball team after being ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA. Lopez missed nine games before returning later that season. He was selected 10th overall that spring by the New Jersey Nets in the 2008 NBA draft.
In Oct. 2009, shooting guard Jeremy Green was suspended indefinitely from the men's basketball team after being arrested and spending a night in jail for suspicion of felony domestic violence. No charges were filed, and Green was reinstated just one day before the start of the 2009 season. Green went on to forego his senior season and was not selected in the 2011 NBA draft.
In 2010, point guard JJ Hones was dismissed from the women's basketball team after being arrested for driving under the influence, reckless driving, evading a police officer and resisting arrest on Stanford's campus. Hones was dismissed just one month after the women's team lost the national championship game to Connecticut.
Skov will likely be given the opportunity for due process first before facing team discipline, and it's possible nothing will even come of the case, but it's certainly not an ideal situation for the standout linebacker.
For more reaction to the news, visit Stanford blog Rule of Tree.