Kevin Drew returned to the Syracuse men’s lacrosse team for the start of spring practice Thursday, nearly three months after being arrested for driving while intoxicated, a hit-and-run and resisting arrest.

The senior defensive midfielder was reinstated for classes at SU for the spring semester, and Orange head coach John Desko said he made a ‘difficult decision’ and allowed Drew to rejoin the team. Following Drew’s arrest, Desko indefinitely suspended him from the team.

‘Kevin’s done quite a bit,’ Desko said during SU’s annual media day last Thursday. ‘He wasn’t in school last semester, lost everything academically, financially. He’s not a full scholarship guy. He’s done quite a bit, and he’s going to continue to deal with the consequences. He’s got things he has to do here for the team and for the university.’

Drew was arrested at about 3:30 a.m. Oct. 24 on the 1500 block of Lancaster Avenue after a Syracuse police officer saw a 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer hit a car on the 400 block of Broad Street and continue driving, according to court documents. The officer chased the TrailBlazer at 50 mph until Drew finally pulled over. The senior refused to get out of the car with his hands up despite the officer’s orders.

Once Drew did get out of the car, he got into an ‘aggressive stance’ as the officer approached him, and a second officer kicked him in the chest to knock him to the ground.

Police discovered the TrailBlazer is registered to Desko and is the car Desko’s son, SU attack Tim Desko, drives. Neither Desko nor Tim Desko knew Drew took the car.

Drew’s court appearance was scheduled for Dec. 7, but it was postponed until Feb. 1 after his attorney’s request for an adjournment was approved by presiding City Court Judge Vanessa Bogan.

At the Orange’s annual media day Thursday, Drew said he was glad to be back with the team and was appreciative of the support his teammates and coaches have shown him. Still, he said the incident isn’t something he can simply erase from his mind.

‘I’m just thankful no one got hurt, and I definitely learned a lot,’ Drew said. ‘It was an eye-opening experience, and I definitely learned so much when I was at home. Now, just moving forward and never forgetting about it, just moving past it and moving on and just getting out there and playing a little bit in practice.’

Academically, Drew said he’s looking forward to finishing all of his classes to graduate and will accept any disciplinary action without hesitation. He also said several former players have reached out to him expressing their support.

Drew said he has spoken with John Desko about what’s specifically expected of him, but he wanted to keep the details of the conversation private. Drew’s role on the team for the 2012 season is uncertain, but he said he’ll accept whatever position his coaches place him in.

‘I knew I was going to go through a lot, but I’m just happy to be at school and trying to graduate,’ Drew said. ‘That’s the big thing right now, is to graduate and get out of here with a degree, so I’m just happy about that. And then whatever comes with lacrosse is a bonus for me. I’m just happy to be with my teammates.’

Junior midfielder Steve Ianzito, a close friend of Drew, said he has seen the situation take its toll on Drew emotionally.

Being back with the team and receiving its support is the best situation for Drew, Ianzito said.

‘Kevin knows he made a mistake, and he let the Orange community down a little bit,’ Ianzito said. ‘But he’s definitely faced his consequences, and he’s ready to repay that. We’re all happy to have him back.’

cjiseman@syr.edu

—A previous of this article appeared on dailyorange.com on Jan. 12.

Published on January 12, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Chris: cjiseman@syr.edu | @chris_iseman