Corruption. It is commonly associated with politics or even maybe business, but it is often closer than that.

Sports, professional and amateur, can be home to corruption as well.

An example is when professional football player Ray Rice was only suspended for two games for a domestic violence charge. After the video of him knocking his wife out cold was released, his suspension was extended to a year.

When this was seen, the National Football League gave the suspension and the Baltimore Ravens released him almost simultaneously. But what if the video hadn’t been shown? He would be playing right now.

Too many teams rely on the fact that their best player is the most untouchable person in the league. These players should not be untouchable when it comes to policy or law. Like the case of Florida State quarterback James Winston, who is facing up to four student conduct violations including sexual assault, which is a huge offense even in the NFL. Winston is the reigning Heisman

Trophy winner and because of this he is still playing.

In high school the offenses are not as big, but it is the principle and if students break the rules, then they should be held accountable for their actions. They should not have special privileges because of their athletic ability.

As Martin Bagnasco, English teacher, said, “Just because the student was the best player on my team does not mean I would have kept them in the game. If they messed up in school or off the court, they would sit a game or two if it was necessary.”

Bagnasco was a respected coach and now a referee for volleyball. He knows a thing or two about coaching star athletes since he has had a good handful of players go on to play for college.

Students here can see this almost every day and sometimes these athletes get away with their rude comments to teammates and even coaches on the team.

Don’t get me wrong, players do not go around beating up girls or having sexual assault charges pressed against them, but sometimes some will break school policy. And just like any other student, they should be dealt with fairly. They should not be just another case thrown away because the coaches need the student to play.

We underclassmen look up to these players and we expect to witness the results of their wise decisions. Instead we are being guided the wrong way.

The term “student athlete” is what we hold ourselves to be, meaning above any athletics, we are always students first.