Jim Henry

Democrat sports editor

Vic Viloria spent the evening at Florida State drinking whisky with "Showtime" employees before deciding to drive to his home in Golden Eagle early Saturday. He never made it.

The FSU strength and conditioning coach has been suspended without pay by the university following his arrest on DUI charges and property damage last Saturday morning.

In a statement released Thursday by FSU President John Thrasher, Viloria’s suspension will cover one-third of the football team’s 12-game regular-season schedule.

Viloria's 30-day suspension starts Friday, Sept. 2, and runs through Oct. 1.

The university's statement also included Viloria's version of events of leading to his arrest, including drinking with employees from the "Showtime" crew.

FSU's Victor Viloria charged with DUI

FSU football will be the focus of Showtime’s ‘A Season With’ series for the 2016 season. The show debuts next Tuesday.

The coach said he was given a bottle of whisky by the "Showtime" crew to celebrate the end of preseason camp, and that he opened the bottle in his office and began to drink with two or three "Showtime" employees.

Viloria said he decided it was "inappropriate" to drink in his office where "other university employees or students could possibly see us," so Viloria and the employees moved to the "Showtime" trailer.

Viloria indicated he had initially planned to stay at his office all night but later decided to drive home.

"I have suspended Coach Viloria for more than a third of the football season to send a strong message about the very serious nature of his offense," Thrasher said in a statement.

Clark: Viloria should face tougher discipline than FSU players

"We have an outstanding athletics program, and fans must know it operates with class and reflects the university’s values. We are continuing to work with Showtime on their fall series showcasing our talented team, and they have been responsive to our concerns."

The No. 4 Seminoles open their season against Ole Miss Monday in Orlando. FSU also plays Charleston Southern (Sept. 10), Louisville (Sept. 17) and South Florida (Sept. 24) in September.

In a statement released by his attorney John Leace Thursday, Viloria apologized for his behavior.

"As a result of my actions and a very poor decision, I was arrested for DUI," Viloria said.

"I am taking full responsibility for the situation for which I now find myself. No words can truly express my remorse for the embarrassment I have brought upon my family, the players, the fans, the coaches and Florida State University. This was an isolated incident for which I am prepared to accept the consequences.

"I humbly request that what I have tried to achieve at Florida State University is not overshadowed by this lapse in judgement. This incident does not define my true character. Rather, my actions from this point forward will best reflect who I am as a husband, father, coach, employee, and friend."

Viloria, 37, told Tallahassee police he was coming from work where he had multiple “big” alcoholic beverages in his office on FSU’s campus. He also acknowledged that he should not have been driving.

Viloria declined to do field sobriety tests and was arrested around 5 a.m. At the Leon County Jail, Viloria’s blood alcohol level was measured at .124 and .125 on two provided breath samples.

The legal limit is .08.

Viloria also was booked on property damage charges for hitting a traffic sign.