HuskerTrucker
All-Conference
It is about time that someone realizes what these kids are in college for. Most will never see the NFL, or even be considered, it is vital that they get a good education. :clapStaff Editorial, Daily Nebraskan Apr 14, 3:01 pm EDT
(UWIRE) LINCOLN, Neb.—In his short time as Nebraska’s football coach, Bo Pelini has won the adoration of fans and the accolades of sportswriters. They love his attitude, energy and commitment to the program.
Lately, there have been glowing stories about Pelini patrolling classrooms and bars, making sure players are in staying in the former, and staying out of the latter.
While his actions to keep players out of trouble are commendable, it’s how he has handled players once they are in trouble that is problematic to say the least.
Maybe the guiding philosophy is "boys will be boys."
His handling—or non-handling—of a recent situation involving a scholarship recruit scheduled to join the team in the fall highlights this boy’s club mentality.
Josh Williams, a highly-ranked defensive end recruit out of Denton, Texas, was arrested last week for assault and robbery. He stands accused of approaching a Denton man as he sat in his pickup, punching him in the face and then robbing him of $900.
Despite Williams being released from jail Thursday, Pelini has had no comment on the situation.
This is eerily reminiscent of a situation during the Bill Callahan era, when scholarship recruit Major Culbert was charged with first-degree sexual assault and burglary. Police reports indicated he pinned a woman against a wall—against her will—and touched her sexually.
In an amazing show of compassion, the victim agreed to lesser charges so that Culbert would be able to attend college, rather than being sent to prison.
Troubled recruits lead to troubled players.
Pelini began his trend of downplaying altercations involving football players early on in his tenure when quarterback Patrick Witt was arrested after showing up in a dormitory intoxicated and belligerent, shoving an RA and then fleeing from police.
Pelini said the matter would be handled internally and was never spoken of again.
Andy Christensen stands as the sole exception to this policy of inaction. He was suspended after being arrested for sexually assaulting a woman by penetration in a bar downtown, and he will face prison time if found guilty.
As players, these students are given a full scholarship, free books as well as free room and board. It is a privilege for them to be on the team, not a right.
When a coach invites players to join our university community and keeps them here after committing acts of violence, he sends the message that such behavior is acceptable and will even be rewarded by a scholarship.
Players should not be invited to our university and given the benefit of a full scholarship if they have a history of violence. If players on the team violate the trust of the community through violence, they should be removed from the team immediately.
Internal discipline just won’t cut it.
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