I think what most people are forgetting here is not only was a rule broken, but a law(s) were broken also. Yes, it is still illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume or possess alcohol. I don’t consider this offense too horrible by any means, but I don’t believe it should be taken lightly either. Rolling through a stop sign seems pretty harmless to most until someone is injured or killed because of it. I don’t know the specifics of this incident so I really don’t know what the proper punishment should be. But, all too often athletes tend to get a hand-slapping instead of a true punishment. Are athletes/celebrities held to a higher standard than others? In my opinion, yes. Are athletes/celebrities also given a more lenient punishment than others? Again, yes. How many times over the years have we seen athletes/celebrities that commit a minor offense, absolved of it, and then commit a more malicious crime later. The sporting ranks are full of stories like this on all levels.

People are looking at this whole situation as minor infraction on the surface, but what possible ramifications could have resulted from it? Well, there a multitude of possibilities. For one; the coach and others could have lost their jobs and the ability to provide for their families. All because of the actions of a teenager(s). Are you starting to see a bigger picture now? To me this is a pretty serious possibility that in the past has happened to others.

I know of one coach who caught one of his wresters drinking at the hotel during the state tournament and the coach had him arrested and then informed the parents. That young man wasn’t allowed to wrestle again. The young man was made an example of, and it was his choice to put himself in that situation. Who cares if they are state champion(s). It doesn’t matter. The lives of others could have been affected. And, I don’t believe that placing an apology on the web deserves a pat on the back for courageousness or bravery.

Now I don’t want to come off as being heartless and cruel. I don’t think these young people in question should be ostracized by wrestling community. But from what I have read on this forum a week of suspension is pretty lenient in my opinion, and possibly what I read was incorrect. Sports unlike education are privileges that we are not entitled to by law. I think the true character builder is not the sport itself, and if that was the case the sport itself failed in this instance. Character is built by overcoming adversity of life and not training for or competition in a sport. If ones future success is dependent upon success and achievement in athletics I would find another table to gamble at because the odds are not in your favor.

As for the Shawnee Mission policy it is absurd to even jokingly compare the death penalty to being kicked off a sports team. And, shoplifting is still a theft no matter how you look at it. As long as the kids are aware of the policy it it is a fair policy. There is absolutely too much gray area that is considered in these cases today.