We commend the coaches, players and staff of the athletics department for their incredible success this year.
But we think a sad trend among OU’s athletes needs to come to an end sooner rather than later. A slew of athletes have been cited, arrested, suspended or physically harmed as of late.
Sophomore linebacker Austin Box – following in the footsteps of basketball sensation Blake Griffin, who was caught peeing in a bush last semester – was cited early Saturday morning for outraging public decency.
Guard Juan Pattillo was suspended from Saturday’s men’s basketball game at Texas Tech for “violating team rules.”
Pattillo sat near freshman guard Ray Willis, who was suited up for the first time after being arrested last month for allegedly driving under the influence. Willis and another OU athlete, defensive end Frank Alexander, were stabbed during a fight at a club in August.
Sophomore forward Kyle Cannon was kicked off the basketball team two weeks ago for an unidentified “violation of team rules.”
This behavior needs to stop.
Whether they like it or not, college athletes are representatives of this university.
Their names are emblazoned on the same jerseys that say “Oklahoma.” To many people across the country, the most recognizable people from this school and even this state are the athletes who wear crimson and cream.
This doesn’t mean athletes shouldn’t have fun like other college students. But, like most OU students, they should have fun within the law and within the rules of the groups (or teams) they are part of.
OU’s players are given many privileges because of their athletic prowess. With those privileges come heightened visibility and therefore heightened responsibility to represent the university well.
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Dallasstars10 3 years, 2 months ago
This is completely true and more research needs to be done into this. Numerous star athletes for this schools football and basketball team are seen drinking and smoking marijuana and something needs to be done about it. Obviously random drug tests by the Athletics Department and NCAA are not enough to keep these student athletes representing our school in the corret manner. The privilages that these student athletes have is far above any normal student and certain things these people do is kept under the table and the public does not hear about.
kdbp1213 3 years, 2 months ago
can i get a BIG AMEN, brothers & sisters !!!!!!!!!! finally found an opinion from this bleeding-heart-Kennedy-Democrat-communist-pinko newspaper that makes sense.........
OUSooners 3 years, 2 months ago
Completely agree. When Jarboe got kicked off the squad all I said was "Good riddance" and from what I've read he's been in trouble several times at the school where he is now. I want integrity in our athletes. I'm glad our coaches don't put up with it.
kdbp1213 3 years, 2 months ago
i peed in the bushes one time. but i'm not an athelete so nobody cares.............
athlete 3 years, 2 months ago
It is obvious to me that those who wrote this article are clearly not, nor have they ever been an athlete. My first point is Monday's paper. This weekend, yes Austin Box was cited, but Corey Wilson was paralyzed in a car accident. That is a fellow sooner and athlete whose life is now going to change because of this; but did this make the headliner of the front page? No, it made a corner on the front page next to "Kitchen comments given new life." This is what athlete's deal with. There will never be a headliner about the good things we do (excluding winning an event). The majority of non athletes do not know what we, as athletes, go through. The majority of teams train rigorously during the wee hours of the morning; not to mention multiple times per day. In addition, we are required to complete a certain amount of study hall hours, meet with learning specialists, and attend mandatory athletic meetings.
Every student on this campus represents the University of Oklahoma, not just athletes. As normal students (non athletes), you are demeaning yourselves by saying your actions do not represent this fine establishment. While your actions may not end up on the front page, they do reflect our university. For example, the Greek community also represents our university, yet when that one sorority sister "makes it snow" we do not see a statement made by the OU Daily editorial board calling for more maturity among the Greek system.
I do not deny the fact that recently some athletes have been cited, but where is the column about the "normal" students getting cited as well. Yes, we signed to become an athlete at OU, but you also signed to be a student here. As an athlete at OU, I not only play sports but I am a student. The title of this article is insulting. First of all, I do not think that a child could wake up at five, practice at least twice a day, and maintain good academic standing. The negative image of OU (if there is one), was not just established because of athletes, it was established because of the student body. Why not put an article about how much money athletics brings into the university or an article on how many athletes made the NCAA Big Twelve Commissioners Honor Roll. Another suggestion would be to do an article on the community service each team does. I think that the paper needs to find real stories. Stop plastering stories that are negative about athletes all over the front page. As an athlete, I am just saying it would be refreshing to see positive light shed on the athletic community or at least focus on the important stories; such as Corey Wilson.
dildal 3 years, 2 months ago
College students are often thrown the phrase by their parents 'live and learn'. Do these words of wisdom not apply to student-athletes? I for one am not embarrased or personally offended by these personal decisions that have been refered to in this column. Student-athletes make sacrifices everyday that defenitly create an almost perfect balance for the privildges and respect they EARN as a result from following rules, schedules and restrictions put in place for them to follow. Student-athletes are human and are not professional athletes yet and should not be held under the kind of scruitiny that is suggested in this article. All of the decisions they make are followed by consiquences set in place by the Athletic department. During the recuitment process the character of each and every player is considered before a scholarship is given. I trust our athletic department in their decision to allow a person to wear the Oklahoma jersey. Wearning a jersey does not give you respect, every student-athlete earns it with their dedication on and off the field. Give these students a break. Just because they make a mistake does not mean they are not good people and should still deserve to represent this school.
mfhayes 3 years, 2 months ago
These sorts of things happen to a good portion of college students, or anyone for that matter...
Heightened visibility may be a factor, but people need to realize that college students will be what they are: college students. Just because they play a sport doesn't mean they should be compared to the morality of an angel.
Who cares if Blake Griffin peed in a bush?
Why don't you get mad at everyone who pees in bushes? That would be a dumb article too.
DrFuego 3 years, 2 months ago
That's ridiculous, dildal, to say that wearing the Oklahoma jersey doesn't merit the increased scrutiny these athletes have to endure. When they sign on with our athletic department (and its cushy scholarship program) they are assuming the "brand" of OU just like any other school-sponsored entity. If a fraternity or spirit squad blows it with hazing or alcohol, it reflects on the university--and over the past five years, we've seen the consequences. If a star athlete breaks the law, it reflects on the university just as much--some talking heads in the media still smear OU for its dubious past. If you can't handle the scrutiny, don't put on the uniform. It's part of the deal you make with the program.
That being said, I agree that our athletic department does a good job selecting quality players and ensuring that these athletes behave as decent citizens. Bob Stoops showed the country what integrity really is in 2006, and these suspensions the players are being placed on are evidence of the high quality of discipline within the department. However, none of that contradicts the fundamental principle that our athletes' actions are much more scrutinized and that they need to behave accordingly.