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ATHENS, GA. (AP) -- The athletic director for the University of Georgia is apologizing after he was arrested for drunken driving.

Athletic director Damon Evans said Thursday that he failed miserably in being a leader and representing the university well. He says he has put a black cloud over the school's athletic department.

A state trooper pulled Evans over late Wednesday night for driving erratically. Police said Evans smelled of alcohol and was given a field sobriety test. He was taken to Atlanta's city jail on charges of DUI and failure to maintain a lane.

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The trooper also arrested 28-year-old Courtney Fuhrmann, a passenger in Evans' car. She was charged with disorderly conduct.

Evans was arrested the day before his new, five-year contract with the university began. He has publicly campaigned against drunken driving.

UPDATE
The 28-year-old woman arrested with University of Georgia athletic director Damon Evans said the charges are a "misunderstanding."

Courtney Fuhrmann said Friday that disorderly conduct charges against her are a "misunderstanding from what the media is portraying it as" but declined to speak further.

Fuhrmann and Evans were arrested late Wednesday after a state trooper said he spotted Evans driving erratically.

He was charged with DUI and failure to maintain a lane. She was charged with disorderly conduct after police said she ignored warnings to stay inside the vehicle while the trooper was conducting the test.

Evans apologized Thursday and said he "failed miserably." He said Fuhrmann was a friend.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)