Bobcat Busted, Former Ohio Linebacker Arrested Saturday

During an Athens (OH) block party Saturday a former Ohio University linebacker was busted for violating Ohio's open container law which prohibits people from having open bottles of alcoholic beverages in public. According to police records Alphonso Lewis, 23, was in possession of "an open container of beer or intoxicating liquor in a public place." He failed to make his scheduled appearance in court Monday morning.

Lewis just finished his redshirt senior season with the Bobcats, helping lead them to their second straight bowl victory. Starting in 11 games this past season, Lewis had his best season racking up 61 total tackles on his way to earning third-team All-Mid-American conference honors. A native of Altoona, Pa., Lewis started in 53 games for the 'Cats over his five years at the school but isn't expected to pursue a professional career (he didn't participate in Ohio's pro day last week).

Ohio University has a reputation, one that the school's president isn't too fond of, as one of the nation's top party schools. That reputation dates back to the early 1970's, or so I was recently told by MLB.com writer and Ohio alumnus (class of 1973) Paul Hagen. The school consistently is in the top-five in the nation and was even ranked as high as No. 1 just a year ago.

So it's surprising things like what happened Saturday night during High Fest--one of Athens' many rowdy block parties held throughout the year that have helped the school earn its "prestigious" reputation--don't happen more often. In fact I can't think of the last time I heard of an Ohio athlete getting arrested for partying too hard, and I go to Ohio.

But this isn't the first time that Lewis has been arrested in Athens. He was arrested and eventually fined for criminal trespassing back in 2009. Party on Alphonso. Party on.