By
The Wildcat Opinons Board
In the past, the UA athletic department has not been particularly fair in punishing athletes who violate the law. Too often, athletes who have violated the law have received little or no punishment from athletic department officials.
But thankfully, the UA basketball program is raising the bar.
Last week, UA basketball forward Justin Wessel was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Wessel, a communications senior, was leaving Dirtbag's and was driving - in the wrong direction -on East Broadway Boulevard on his way to a party. His blood alcohol was .075 and rose to .084 seven minutes after Officer David Niebla arrested him.
UA basketball officials didn't waste any time. Wessel was immediately put on probation by his coaches.
"We're aware of the incident, he was put on probation immediately," said UA men's basketball assistant coach Jim Rosbourgh.
But they shouldn't stop there. If Wessel is found guilty of the charges, the officials should follow up the probation with a suspension.
While prohibiting athletes from playing because of criminal offenses may seem harsh to some, it is fair that university athletes be thus disciplined. Playing on a collegiate team is a privilege. Violating the law ought to strip athletes of this privilege.
Unfortunately, the UA athletic department has not always seen it this way.
Last year, football player Manuia Savea was arrested on a charge of domestic violence. Though he should have been disciplined appropriately, he was not suspended by UA football officials.
Also last year, 14 football players were investigated for reportedly stealing money from a UA CatCard employee. None of the three players found guilty were suspended; they merely had to complete a diversion program as recommended by the county.
Instead of holding these athletes to the standard to which they ought to be held, these coaches let the incidents slide. Instead of punishing them for violating the law by stripping them of their privilege to play sports, they were rewarded by being allowed to continue playing.
These travesties reflect the unfair standard to which athletes were held in the past. Some may think that the athletes are youths making mistakes, that because they receive legal punishment they do not need to be punished by the university.
But because UA athletes are nationally renowned and become representatives for the university on a national scale, they ought to act as role models for the rest of the university. Acting as role models includes not driving under the influence. If an athlete violates this, as Wessel is charged with doing, he ought to be penalized.
It is a good sign that UA basketball officials acted so quickly in punishing Wessel. It proves their commitment to making sure their athletes behave as they should.
Hopefully, the rest of the athletic department will follow in the basketball officials' example and appropriately discipline their athletes. The concept is simple: handcuffs equal benching.
