Higher Standards

To my loyal two blog fans:
I'm back from a short break hanging out with my son during spring break. I'm sure you read all the news about the Norfolk State University students who have been arrested for allegedly committing armed robberies. Two of the students were athletes. In the NSU student newspaper -- The Spartan Echo, sports editor Joe Cook wrote . . ."Our student athletes have to remember, in-fact, it must be engrained in their minds that when they are on or off campus they represent not only themselves, but things that should mean something to them . . . such as their families, their university and their own reputations." Well said, Mr. Cook. And, this comes from one of their own peers. Young people often make bad decisions -- sometimes critical decisions that impact the rest of their lives. Student athletes are like celebrities. Everything they do, say or don't do, or say impacts them and those around them. They are held to a higher standard because they are positioned as role models. It is disappointing and hurtful to see these kinds of things on the news. Students and in particular, student athletes need to realize that one's reputation is a terrible thing to waste. It is a fragile thing and must be protected at all cost. Joe Cook was right on point. As an NSU family, we have to nip this kind of behaviour in the bud ASAP!