It was just last week when I spoke with Gary Williams about college athletes’ off-the-field activities, and in particular, drinking, related to Chris McCray’s arrest. Williams strongly pointed out that his players are student-athletes.
“These guys are just like you,” he said. “They’re still in college. They like to do the same things all college kids do.”
I agreed. People should expect college players to drink and have fun, just like everybody else does.
That is why, as this newspaper’s sports editor, I turn my head when I see underage players out on Route 1. Who am I to stand on a soap box and levee punishment? Who were they harming?
That is why I accepted Williams’ lecture, and the media barrage that came down on McCray, as punishment enough.
But the football team’s brawl early Tuesday morning at Cornerstone Grill and Loft went far beyond what most college students get involved with, and has the potential to harm the university’s image more than any drunk shouting match could.
It was reported in The Diamondback yesterday that a female patron complained of being groped by a player, and that a fight ensued between bouncers, bar staff and about a dozen players. No arrests have been made.
Whether or not they are convicted, the football players involved have put themselves in a spotlight that will only intensify.
One person that shouldn’t be blamed for the incident is coach Ralph Friedgen. He said his players were warned of the effects of drinking weeks before this incident. I believe him. Athletes are well informed by coaches and Athletics Department administration as to the evils of drinking.
When I asked Williams if he felt like a father figure to some players, the coach said he did. He added that college head coaches are held more responsible for the academic and social success of their players than professional coaches.
During an interview with Friedgen last year, the football coach said he feels like a father to many of his players.
My parents may lecture me for being drunk on Route 1, but they would certainly take action if I was involved in a brawl.
Friedgen’s rush to Cornerstone Tuesday morning must have been like a father coming to scold his children. But no matter how many times he talks to his players, he can’t hold their hands. They’re going to party on Route 1. And hopefully, for the program’s sake, they don’t do something stupid.
Players should be responsible enough to know that fighting in a bar is going to stain the program. They should know to walk away.
Obviously, they have not heeded strict advice from the athletics department, and likely Friedgen. In response should go to the next level in discouraging his players. Regardless of whether they are charged with a crime, players found to be involved in the fight should be suspended.
The athletics department puts punishment in the hands of coaches if athletes are charged with misdemeanors. It is time that power is used to back up the Athletic Department’s words.
This university has ostracized students for lewd behavior at sporting events. The fans have responded accordingly, as fan behavior has been much improved and the controversial “Rock and Roll, Part II” has been all but snuffed out.
Now the university has to worry more about its players than fans. And that starts with showing, not just telling, athletes that fighting at bars is unacceptable.
Contact sports editor Ryan Mink at sports@dbk.umd.edu.
