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Full disclosure in players theft case needed

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Summer Wildcat Dan Cassino

As many as 10 university freshmen football players may have put their careers on the line Thursday for twenty bucks. The money in question was being used in a demonstration of the CatCard vending system. Allegedly, the players took the money from the demonstrator, in broad daylight, in plain view, and said that they were entitled to it.

At stake is more than twenty bucks. More, even, than some trouble for these players. At stake is the integrity of the football program and the university as a whole. If the university does not conduct an open investigation, the cloud over the football program will never be lifted.

Immediately, everyone involved started making excuses for the players. Even the employee from whom the money was stolen said, "These guys are 18-year-olds, right out of high school. It takes time to learn responsibility." Even the detective investigating the case seems to be taking the age of the offenders into account. "They're young freshman guys," he said. "For many, this will be the first time they've come in contact with law enforcement."

However, these players are adults. They are responsible for any actions they may have taken part in. Moreover, as members of one of the top football programs in the country, they are subject to public scrutiny.

Do the players have a right to privacy? Absolutely. But if the university wants to protect its interests, it must take the high road. Which is more important: protecting a few freshmen players from some legal trouble, or protecting the integrity of the university football program?

One of the explanations for the players actions really seems to strike a chord. The employee from whom the money was stolen said that it takes time to learn responsibility.

Why do they need to learn responsibility? If they become successful in their college careers, the university will take care of them. If they go on to the National Football League, their teams will take care of them. Members of the Dallas Cowboys who are constantly arrested for drug use get paid millions, but certainly haven't learned responsibility.

Why do they need to learn responsibility? Despite what anyone on administration says, players in money-earning athletic programs get special benefits. If they need help in a class, the university will get them a tutor. If they hurt themselves, the university will aid in their rehabilitation. The question is, what will the university do if they get in a little legal trouble?

Maybe they should feel entitled to the money. The football team does make millions for the university, and perhaps there should be a system to compromise these athletes for their contributions, above the benefits they currently receive. This, however, does not excuse their actions. Even if we make a real stretch, and assume that the actions of these football players was a political statement designed to express their dissatisfaction with the status quo, they probably should have gone through proper legal channels, rather than randomly stealing one-dollar bills from CatCard vendors.

Friday, Wildcat editors petitioned for the release of documents pertaining to the case. They were informed that it was a pending investigation, and important details, such as the names of the players involved, would compromise the investigation.

It seems as though the university is already circling the wagons, getting ready to protect its interests. We can all hope that this is not the case. Only time will tell.

Here is the challenge that the university faces. Don't hide behind legal shields, or delay the investigation until after football season. Investigate quicly and fully. Keep the media informed as to what is going on. Don't condone or excuse their actions. Don't hold them up to the same standard as other students, hold them to a higher standard.

A successful resolution to this matter can only come from openness. If the investigation is not carried out completely in the public view, the players involved, and, by extension, the Arizona football program, will continue to be under the shadow of doubt. If, after an open investigation, the players are exonerated, that will be the end of it. If they are found to be culpable, they should be punished, and that will be the end of it.

Without that openness, there will be no end to this investigation. There will always be those who will say that there was simply a cover-up. This season, and every in which these players participate, will be thrown into question. All for twenty bucks.