Christian LeMay to forgo senior season at Butler, focus on enrolling at Georgia in January

Quarterback Christian LeMay will not return to Butler High this year and will not play football at any school, his father said in statement released to the Observer Tuesday morning.

Stacy LeMay, Christian's father, did not say where Christian would attend school this fall, or whether he'd be home-schooled. He replied to a text saying Christian would attend school "in a private setting."

LeMay, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior, is ranked among the nation's top 20 overall recruits by many recruiting services. He threw for more than 3,000 yards and 44 touchdowns last season, leading Butler to an unbeaten season and the school's first state championship. He's committed to play in college at Georgia.

In June, LeMay violated a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools code of conduct rule. Sources say LeMay and a female student had a sexual encounter on campus. In the statement, LeMay's father, Stacy, said Christian was given a 40-day out-of-school suspension, which the family appealed.

On July 26, Stacy LeMay said school officials maintained the full suspension and also informed the family that after it was over, Christian could possibly return to Butler from a CMS alternative school. Stacy LeMay said Christian needs two credits to graduate and plans to do so in December.

"Adhering to such a severe ruling would not only prevent Christian from playing until November," Stacy LeMay said in his statement, "but it would also hinder him academically as the alternative school does not provide the required classes needed for him to finish in the fall of 2010 and move on to the University of Georgia in January."

Read more on this developing story in Wednesday's Observer.

Below is the full text of the LeMay's statement, edited for clarity:

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LEMAY FAMILY STATEMENT:
We first want to thank all of those who have supported our family during this time. The e-mails, letters, text and words of encouragement have been life fueling from supporters of Christian both locally and nationwide. We specifically want to thank (incoming Georgia recruits) Christian Conley and Ray Drew for standing with our son and contacting him daily, Panthers wide receiver Kenny Moore and QB training coach Steve Calhoun for working him out over the summer. Also, Sporting News and all the other recruiting networks that maintained Christian’s National Ranking on their boards.

As a result of Christian’s youthful infraction (that does not involve drugs, weapons or any form of violence), Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools imposed a severe punishment on our son ... which we appealed to their highest form of due process.

On July 26th the CMS board maintained the merciless ruling of a 40-day reassignment to an alternative school “to possibly be reviewed in 30 days”. (This was) in addition to a four-day suspension already served. The ruling also states that after completing the reassignment days, he could “possibly” return to Butler, meaning it is “possible” that he could not return to Butler.

Adhering to such a severe ruling would not only prevent Christian from playing until November due to the 10-day conditioning rule (if he returned to Butler HS), but it would also hinder him academically as the alternative school does not provide the required classes needed for him to finish in the fall of 2010 and move on to the University of Georgia in January.

Given the unwillingness of CMS to apply a more reasonable consequence for such a youthful infraction, as disheartening as it is, we must make the decision to move on and focus Christian’s attention to preparing for enrollment at the University of Georgia in January. Although, rumors suggest that Christian would likely transfer to one of the excellent programs such as (Duncan) Byrnes (S.C.), (Rock Hill) South Pointe, Greensboro Dudley and even Victory Christian Center, Christian could not imagine playing his senior season at any place other than with his brother Uriah and his teammates at Butler High School.

Therefore, having come to resolve that following the CMS consequence would not accomplish “student achievement” for Christian, we as a family have concluded that he will forgo his senior football season and focus on his preparation to attend the University of Georgia.

We are quite honored that other colleges continue to show strong interest in Christian attending their school. However, we have continued healthy communications with (Georgia) coaches and the commitment remains the same on both ends.

Christian will now prepare himself for the next season of his life as he takes this time to become stronger, spiritually, academically and physically. With the help of fitness trainer Andy Hendel of Cross fit Charlotte and QB coach Steve Calhoun of Armed and Dangerous, Christian will certainly be prepared to arrive in Georgia this spring ready to compete. We are fully confident that his best days are still yet to come. GO BULLDOGS!!!

The LeMay Family