WEB-SPE@K: Do athletes have an obligation to act more responsible?

By Joseph Hollak | October 12, 2007

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Fresno State football player Jason Shirley has been suspended indefinitely after being cited for driving under the influence and a hit-and-run Monday night, his second suspension and the team’s fifth for the season. Shirley’s first suspension this season was for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

Do university athletes have an obligation to act more responsible than the average student? Is the athletic department too hard on its athletes?

Be sure to read the print edition of next Friday’s issue of The Collegian for featured comments.

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Comments

6 Responses to “WEB-SPE@K: Do athletes have an obligation to act more responsible?”

    Danny Tanner:
    October 15th, 2007 10:31 am

    Student athletes are held to lower standards in the classroom as far as quality of coursework goes. So yes, they have a greater responsibility to behave.

    Heather Billings
    Heather Billings:
    October 15th, 2007 10:52 am

    The Collegian Staff Comment

    Held to lower standards in the classroom? Really? Dang, and all this time I’ve been killing myself to keep my straight-A average. Shame on my coach for not telling me I could slack off.

    Valerie Nevens:
    October 15th, 2007 8:20 pm

    I think most athletes actually have to work harder to maintain a good GPA and go to all those games and practices, but the “big men on campus” give athletes this bad image of party-going slackers who think they are obligated to receive special lower standards because they know how to throw a football

    Sanchez Smear:
    October 15th, 2007 10:55 pm

    I’ve proofed basketball player term papers—-many can’t formulate a thought on paper —- might not be able to read——trust me.

    Ralph Macchio:
    October 15th, 2007 10:59 pm

    Yes. These athletes must be expected to uphold the storied winning tradition and good name of the Fresno State Bulldogs. Yeah right. We expect less from the coaches.

    Aksh Mehta:
    October 16th, 2007 11:52 am

    Not just uviversity athletes our staff, faculty , the president, university high school students and us ( Ffresno State Students ) we all have a responsibility on our shoulders – Our actions represent this instiution that we proudly call Fresno State or the home of Bulldogs.
    Having said that, I personally know international athletes who have travelled across the globe to proudly serve Fresno state in tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer and they are very professional as compared to local athletes, I am speaking in general this does not include all athletes but definitely Jason Shirley. Please step up, you dont have to look far away for inspiration and examples . What you do today will be remembered forever.