For years, probably centuries, mothers and grandmothers have been telling beloved family members, "Nothing good happens after midnight."
Apparently, many Kansas University athletes either didn't get this sound advice or they didn't pay attention. They thought they knew better. Certainly the coaches have heard the age-old bromide.
However, several recent incidents in Lawrence involving male KU athletes add weight to the warning about post-midnight activities.
Added to the puzzle about the actions of some KU players is the question of what happened to the concept or importance of being in "training." It used to be that coaches made it clear they expected certain behavior and lifestyle adjustments by their players, and players, eager to nail down a position on a team and earn many minutes of playing time, would do whatever they could to keep their bodies in the best possible physical condition.
Apparently, some KU athletes see nothing wrong with being in a bar at 2 a.m., some drinking, some not. So much for training.
Some may laugh at the suggestion, but why not impose a curfew until players demonstrate they have the maturity and commitment to behave in a proper manner? Critics of such action might say a curfew would hurt recruiting, but what kind of people does a coach want on his team? Good athletes, of course, but does he want those who see nothing wrong in being in bars at 2 a.m. or those who believe they should behave in a responsible manner?
Unfortunately, winning is what counts, and if a frequent 2 a.m. bar customer can help win a game, then maybe a curfew plan is unrealistic in the minds of most sports fans.
In the meantime, KU athletic officials cannot be proud or pleased by the headlines some of their athletes have been attracting. It's not good for the programs or for the image of the school, and it's likely some parents of skilled high school athletes may start to wonder about what goes on at KU.
Comments
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THX1138 (anonymous) says…
You have to draw the line somewhere when talking about someone's basic rights to peacefully move about as they please. Sure, I fully agree that some players do not have the "maturity or commitment to behave in a proper manner." And it seems that with the currrent system, these are the ones who get thier just punishment. Why take the other mature, sensible adults and lock them up in thier rooms every night?
>>"does he want those who see nothing wrong in being in bars at 2 a.m?"
If they play well, and you don't cause any problems, absoluetly! I think that being at a bar at 2am is certainly very OK...if you act responsibly and it doesn't interfere with your playing. Why punish the innocent?
It isn't anybody's business what you and I do on our own time, until we cause trouble; then we pay the price for our foolishness. Same deal here.
Being at a bar at 2am isn't the problem. Getting into fights is the problem. A curfew targets a symptom, not the problem.
I just don't think it would be fair or particularly effective to try to keep them out of trouble by attempting to force them to be responsible and mature; every person makes that choice for themselves. If we are concerned about the image of the school, then the school should be more strict and swift in taking a stand after unacceptable behavior occurs.