Every week the SEC, Florida St. or Miami (FL) provide numerous examples of the behavior mentioned in the previous post and now they go unpenalized. And nothing in my recent memory surpasses Michael Vick’s little brother Marcus’ actions in what proved to be the final game of his college career (Google: Marcus Vick stomps on opponents’ leg).
There are two major differences between the college game and the NFL. One is that school bragging rights are often on the line and because of this; the players are often encouraged by more than just their own egos, such as having thousands of their fellow classmates egging them on. The other major difference is that all NCAA student-athletes sign code of conduct agreements stating that they will exhibit good sportsmanship both on and off the field. I don’t think that chest-thumping and taunting the other team fall in line with that code of conduct.
The problem extends beyond the players too. School officials, government officials, and sponsors/boosters are also involved in these unsportsmanlike behaviors either actively or by inaction. Kudos, to Virginia Tech for kicking Vick off the team, but shouldn’t it have happened sooner? His Wikipedia page documents his frequent brushes with the law in significant detail. Vick spent his entire freshman year suspended for numerous criminal convictions. He was allowed to play his sophomore year, but had several more incidents occur both on and off the field (including the leg stomp). That still didn’t get him kicked off the team. It wasn’t until he was again convicted of various misdemeanors that VT finally had enough and gave him the boot.
In 24 career games at Virginia Tech, Vick threw for 2,868 yards, 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while also running 184 times for 492 yards and 6 touchdowns. My favorite one of his statistics occurred off the field where he was arrested 9 times!
Every time Michigan and Ohio State play each other in Columbus, we get to see unsportsmanlike conduct at its best, and not by the players. In 2006, when both teams entered the game 11-0 and ranked #1 and #2, the hotel Michigan was staying in conveniently had its water and power shut off. Then when the Wolverines arrived at the Horseshoe, Ohio State Troopers stopped the bus and illegally searched each player’s person and belongings “for drugs”. I don’t know whether those events affected the outcome of the game or not, but conveniently for OSU, the final score of the game: OSU: 41 UM: 38.
If I was a college administrator, I would ask myself what is more important, winning football games or teaching boys how to be men and contributing members of society. I would hope that everyone who knows me knows how I would answer. It is far more important to me that collegiate athletes become contributing members of society than champions or Heisman winners.
Enough is enough! College sports are supposed to be about giving a student a chance to also be an athlete, hence the ordering of the title student-athlete. As a society we must stand up for sportsmanship and demand that the NCAA and its member institutions enforce their codes of conduct, and punish athletes, school and government officials, and sponsors/boosters who violate them.
Stay tuned for the conclusion: Unsportsmanlike Conduct III: Hockey, a Beacon of Hope.
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