OPINION & EDITORIAL
Stop gawking, treat athletes equally
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Rachel Krystek:
- Bulimia, anorexia too grave to ignore (October 23, 2007)
- Write, don't whine over teaching assistants (November 20, 2007)
- Wireless Outages remove studious spark from College Library (November 6, 2007)
- Storm water runoff a serious issue for students (October 9, 2007)
- Stop gawking, treat athletes equally (September 25, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Wake up and smell the coffee (March 4, 2004)
- Alumni off the mark (September 9, 2008)
- Re-examining scholariships for non-revenue athletics (April 11, 2005)
- Do the Hokie Pokie (January 15, 2006)
- Rower sets campus straight (February 21, 2002)
Share This:
by Rachel Krystek
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Fans of Badger football may want to think twice about the athletes they are cheering for. Despite noteworthy achievements on the football field, a few of these athletes are anything but commendable members of the community. With charges ranging from battery to residential burglary, it's a wonder that the prestigious University of Wisconsin continues to promenade these criminals as star players. How long can a winning record on the field hide the university's embarrassing recent suspension record of three football players in 11 months?
Having concluded the 2006 season with a near perfect 12-1 record, the Badgers no doubt were excited about defending their Capital One Bowl championship in Orlando, Fla., in January. The excitement of the championship was soon tainted by the Nov. 25 arrest of starting cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu in Dekalb, Ill., under charges of residential burglary and criminal trespass, however. With many groans and shaking heads, Badger fans prepared to arrive in Orlando with a handicap. However, after being suspended on Dec. 1, Mr. Ikegwuonu was reinstated on Dec. 15, enabling him to play in the bowl game. And with one dazzling defensive play to stop an Arkansas drive at the UW 9-yard line, Mr. Ikegwuonu's offenses were all but forgotten.
The victorious end to another amazing football season seemed to dissolve the charges against Mr. Ikegwuonu in the minds of Badger fans. However, another alarming case against a UW football player has many reliving the disappointment and embarrassment of last fall. Lance Smith, backup running back for the Badgers, was arrested in July and later charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct after an altercation with his girlfriend. Mr. Smith, like Mr. Ikegwuonu, was reinstated following a short suspension from the team. Although Mr. Smith awaits final court appearances, his UW sentence has been dealt — a petty suspension from all away games.
You have to understand that there comes a time when firm punishment becomes more vital than maintaining a winning record — perhaps now is that time. When previously asked about the Smith situation, head coach Bret Bielema was quoted in The Badger Herald, "The one thing I wanted to establish in this program is, I’ll handle discipline on my own, very, very well. I don’t need outside people coming in and determining what happens."
This should lend comfort to those concerned with the repeated offenses of these Badger football players. Yet a sense of injustice lingers. Considering the offenses, it seems a slap on the wrist to suspend Mr. Smith for five away games. The crowd is still roaring when he returns to Camp Randall, and I for one find it hard to cheer for someone lacking such morals.
UW reprimands student athletes through two processes: one for nonacademic misconduct and another through athletic disciplinary procedures. However, Mr. Bielema may have the most viable threat with the power to remove athletes from the team. Such power was demonstrated with defensive end Jamal Cooper, who was kicked off the team late this summer after violating team policy.
Yet this one incident does not excuse the lenient punishments handed to Mr. Ikegwuonu or Mr. Smith, who continue to bask in the glories of being on a Big Ten football team. These athletes represent our school and state, and it is a disgrace to brush aside these crimes with such feeble sanctions.
Criminal justice is not mathematical; there can be no "if a then b" equation for crime and punishment. However, it seems unfair that serious crimes such as battery and burglary result in short-term suspensions for athletes. Additionally, the benefits of student athletes are still available while trials are pending. UW clearly needs to enforce stricter procedures when dealing with all misdemeanors, especially when athletes commit them. When considering the repeated offenses, it is clear the current punishments are not deterring others from committing petty and foolish crimes.
Rachel Krystek (krystek@wisc.edu) is a sophomore majoring in journalism.
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 7:14am):
And somehow OJ Simpson is still dating an attractive blond girl.
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 11:19am):
Rachel, you clearly know nothing about sports. First off, when the Badgers headed to Orlando for the bowl game, they were 11-1 at the time...the win over Arkansas made them 12-1. Check your facts, instead of just guessing like most non-sports fans do.
Secondly, the Cap One Bowl is not a "championship". If you don't know anything about football, don't use fancy phrases that sound cool. Either ask somebody else, or better yet, don't write about football at all.
Next - "it seems a slap on the wrist to suspend Mr. Smith for five away games." WHAT? A slap on the wrist? A "petty suspension"? OK, Rachel, when the Badgers lose at Penn State, or Ohio State, or even freaking Minnesota, when they could have used Lance in the game, let's see if it's still a 'slap on the wrist'. To REAL Badger fans, unlike yourself, it will feel more like a dozen punches to the face.
And finally, check out some of the other power schools around the country. Check out the rap sheets of schools like Miami, Texas, and the team UW just played, Iowa. Iowa has had FIVE arrested players in the last six weeks! Talk about "promenading your criminals". The University of Wisconsin has a stellar reputation for having worthy student-athletes. Just because one or two players make some bad decisions and yes, commit crimes, doesn't stain the entire program as you suggest it does.
Badger Herald Opinion Editors, please let the Sports guys write about sports, and in the sports section only. They're talented, and actually know a thing or two about the situation. This was a waste of an article, as are most sports-related stories that inexplicably end up in your Opinion pages.
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 11:43am):
11:19, you clearly value sports more than justice. Some upstanding citizen you are!
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 12:12pm):
I propose every time Lance Smith has a nice play we say, "He beat that defense like he beat his girlfriend!" (...I'm not ashamed to say that I said this at the Iowa game)
If Ikegwuonu gets an interception we say, "He stole that ball like it was an Xbox!"
Can't wait for that one...
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 1:29pm):
If it were only punishing Lance Smith maybe it would be ok. You have to realize however that his suspension from away games also punishes every member of that football team. Not to mention the thousands of Badgers fans around the country. Unless you somehow happen to know every single fact in the case then please give Mr. Smith a break!
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 1:37pm):
To Mr. Sports:
I AM a varsity athlete here on campus and I still think that what Lance Smith did is horrible and wrong. Yes, to the girl he beat, and to anyone else who has ever had to deal with domestic violence in their lives, whether it be themselves, family, friends, or whomever, it DOES seem like one petty-ass suspension. Grow up and realize that there are more important things and situations in life than sports. You can STILL be an amazing athlete and have great morals; being an athlete does NOT give you an excuse to do bad or injust things, it gives you a reason to watch yourself that much more closely, realizing that many people, little kids included, are looking up to people like Lance Smith....that's the sad thing in this messed up situation.
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 2:41pm):
About the rest of the team being punished, he is a part of a team. When one member of the team messes up, the rest suffer, both on the field and off. It's no different than if he had fumbled, or gotten a penalty. It's up to the team to motivate good behavior off the field, and it's up to individuals not to let the team down.
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 4:01pm):
You know, 2:41, you're right. I think I'll go ask Luke Swan why, oh why, he let Smith beat up his girlfriend. Or maybe it's Tyler Donovan's fault. No, no...let's kick Bucky's ass and blame him for it.
Don't relate off-field crimes to fumbling the ball or lining up offsides. You're absolutely comparing apples to oranges.
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 4:05pm):
Ok, well let's think of it in a different way: Every time the team loses a game, the school loses money. The biggest thing that gets large alumni donations is athletic programs.
That's why athletes in the two big sports are treated differently. Because of how important their continued play is to the economic health of the entire university.
K. L. Dickson (September 25, 2007 @ 5:45pm):
4:05, money is never more important than justice.
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 8:31pm):
This isn't fantasy land, for better or more accurately for worse, money is always more important than justice!
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 9:25pm):
K.L. Dickson: money is always more important to the UW Athletic Dept. as it is at most major NCAA schools.
4:01: you are such a tool! Obviously you have never played on a team of any consequence.
Anonymous (September 25, 2007 @ 10:20pm):
"money is never more important than justice."
ROFLMAO
Anonymous (September 26, 2007 @ 2:46am):
I second that ROFLMAO. What America are you living in? Money is the reason why lance smith can get away with hitting his bitch, BITCH!
Anonymous (November 16, 2007 @ 12:11pm):
all people should go to jail whather they play football or not
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
