Unfortunately, there are too many news stories about high-profile university athletes getting into serious trouble. That may include failure to meet academic requirements, cheating, drug use, fights, property damage, sexual assaults and other unlawful behavior.

Such stories occur on about every campus in the country.

This year, Kansas University fans have had the opportunity to witness an outstanding athlete who has conducted himself in an exemplary manner during an extremely demanding and stressful period of his life.

The story of KU junior Thomas Robinson is well known to those who follow KU sports and to basketball aficionados throughout the country. He came to Lawrence from modest means in Washington, D.C., and became one of the nation’s truly outstanding college basketball players. In the middle of last season, Robinson suffered a tremendous emotional blow when his mother and two grandparents died within a 29-day period, leaving him as the “man of the house” with a 7-year-old sister living in Washington.

For a number of reasons, this year’s KU team did not have its usual stable of seasoned, outstanding players, and Robinson, in his first year as a starter, and senior Tyshawn Taylor, were called upon to become the team’s leaders.

Since the first tip-off, the local and national spotlight has been on Robinson, a pre-season All-American and contender to become national player of the year. Every opposing team focused its attention and strategy on how to stop the 6-10 junior. The record shows the opponents have been unable to shut down the terrific scorer, rebounder and team player.

He has taken care of his academic responsibilities and done everything he’s been asked to do. According to one KU faculty member, “Considering where he came from, his performance at the university has been pretty remarkable. He is in a position to get his degree from the university during or following his professional career.”

Basketball is a team sport in every respect, but a collection of good athletes sometimes can be a problem because it also is a collection of big egos. Robinson has been a team player and has not been a problem on or off the court. He has represented the university in a fine manner and offers an excellent example of how an athletically talented and properly motivated student can take advantage of a university athletic scholarship.

Robinson — and many other past KU players — has set a high standard for others to emulate both in the classroom and on the playing field.

KU fans have had a unique opportunity to watch and enjoy the development of Robinson since he first arrived in Lawrence. The university has been good for Robinson and he has been good for the university, the state and college basketball.