By
The Wildcat Opinions Board
If we were to take a poll and ask how many students have been treated to dinner by their roommate's parents, we expect that many respondents would answer in the affirmative.
For student-athletes at the University of Arizona, however, such an action would have stiff consequences, as junior forward Richard Jefferson of the men's basketball team recently found out. Jefferson was suspended for at least one game by the NCAA for accepting airline and basketball tickets from his best friend's father. The two students were roommates their first two years on campus and have maintained a strong friendship during their time on the basketball team, but that means absolutely squat in the NCAA's eyes.
What Jefferson did was certainly innocent enough. After all, what college-aged, sports fanatic would not want a free seat for an NBA Finals game? Most of us certainly would, especially if it means sitting next to your best friend, Luke, and going to the game with his dad, NBA great Bill Walton.
We sympathize with Jefferson for being suspended, especially considering the severity (or lack thereof) of his infraction. But the NCAA exists for a number of reasons, among them protecting student-athletes across the country. If the organization were to allow some "gray-area" infractions slide while punishing others, collegiate athletics would be in disarray.
Figuring out who was at fault in Jefferson's situation is tricky. Every scholarship athlete at the UA goes through a semester-long course about NCAA rules and regulations during their freshman year. During subsequent seasons, athletes attend workshops led by national officials regarding sensitive topics such as illegal benefits, agents, gambling and safe sex. Certainly, the UA has demonstrated that it is committed to educating student-athletes about the many dangers surrounding the glamour and fame enjoyed by young men with the potential to make a lot of money.
Almost as important as the "what happened" question is the "where do we go from here" dilemma surrounding the UA. Rocky LaRose, UA associate athletic director, said last night that NCAA rules are in place for a reason and the UA is loyal to them.
"I do believe, though, in common sense," LaRose said.
Undergraduate men's basketball coach Josh Pastner added that if the NCAA were to look at every school in the nation, they would find a lot of situations similar to Jefferson's.
"I think you could suspend every student-athlete in the country," Pastner said.
While that could very well be the case, as Jefferson's teammate Loren Woods found out after being suspended by the NCAA for six games, the NCAA is nevertheless the governing body the UA belongs to.
If the NCAA has become too stringent in the enforcement of its rules and Division I coaches feel a change is necessary, then a well-organized lobbying effort would be appropriate. The NCAA would have to change its policies if enough of its members protested. Until that time, however, student-athletes like Jefferson must realize that accepting gifts from close acquaintances is not allowed. This might be unfair to young adults trying to enjoy their time as college kids, but that's the system in place right now.
This editorial represents the collaborative stance of the Arizona Daily Wildcat Opinions Board
