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 ([email protected]) is a sophomore majoring in journalism.
