SF Chronicle:Cal QB Levy jailed on assault charge, suspended from team

Demian Bulwa, Chronicle Staff Writer

Monday, June 26, 2006

(06-26) 18:14 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The Cal quarterback who came off the bench last season to lead victories in the Big Game and the Las Vegas Bowl was jailed this weekend in San Francisco on suspicion of felony assault for allegedly throwing a pint glass at a doorman who had asked him to leave a North Beach pub, police said today.  Steve Levy, a 22-year-old senior who lives in Berkeley, has been suspended from football team activities while the university looks into the Sunday morning incident at Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub on Jackson Street. Cal Athletic Director Sandy Barbour said the university had spoken to Levy and to police, but she declined to discuss those talks.

"We've taken initial action, we're gathering information, and when we have all the facts we'll determine what's appropriate," Barbour said.  The 23-year-old doorman was struck on the forehead by the glass and was examined by paramedics at the scene, said Sgt. Neville Gittens, a San Francisco police spokesman. Vince Ebarb, 36, of San Francisco, a friend of the doorman, said the man had been treated at a hospital for a cut.  Gittens said the incident began just before 1:23 a.m., when Levy got into an argument with another person at the bar. The doorman moved between them "trying to defuse the situation," then asked Levy to leave, Gittens said.  "As (Levy) was walking out, he picked up a pint glass and threw it at the employee," Gittens said. "It hit the employee on the forehead."  Levy left the bar but was "detained by citizens" less than two blocks away, Gittens said.

Levy was booked into San Francisco County Jail at 4:20 a.m. Sunday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, an offense that carries punishment ranging from a fine to four years in prison. He posted $40,000 bail and was released at 9 p.m., according to jail records.

"We're aware of the situation regarding Steve and he will not participate in any team functions until we have all of the information," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said through a university spokesman.  Levy could not be immediately reached for comment.  Levy, a social welfare major from Cornwall, N.Y., is expected to be a backup on a Cal team that begins practicing in August and has gained national recognition in recent years under Tedford.

Levy came to Cal in 2002 as a quarterback from Don Bosco Preparatory High School, an all-boys school in New Jersey. He sat out his first year to preserve his eligibility and didn't play in 2003 after shoulder surgery. Following a year at the fullback position, Levy returned to quarterback last season.  He played as a reserve in four games before earning starts against Stanford in the Big Game and Brigham Young in the Las Vegas Bowl. Levy completed 32 passes in 52 attempts for the season, amassing 439 yards and four touchdowns. He threw two interceptions.