I wouldn't want my kid hanging around with him all season long or being a room mate on an over night trip.

I like team rules and school rules.

Private schools would be less tolerant of this behavior than public schools I'm guessing?

What if they flunk a drug test? The drugs weren't taken on school grounds so they should still be able to play? I think they sit the year out (sports) and if they stay clean and out of trouble then punishment is served.

 

Been involved in a very heated conversation concerning drug tests. I say yes they should play. Some of us have lived a great SHELTERED life. Did you not have any freinds who got high back in school?? Maybe you even smoked some dope, took a pill, I dont know. But not all kids who do dumb things are trash that needs discarded. It makes no sense to kick them out of things that provide, honor, discipline, hard work, and team work..... And do you drug test kids in the band, on the debate team, how about kids who get tutoring or anything extra....Athletes are not your whipping boys or to be made examples of.

 

Now my opinions of course are all within common sense reason. If a student is caught, responsible adults should get them help! set goals, and expectations, be a postive. You deal 20 lbs of cocaine football team may not be for you..... you rape women, or kids, or shoot someone may be best you just watch the game.... but mistakes happen and even good kids take drugs.

I think you have to look at each instance on an individual basis.

I think you have to look at each instance on an individual basis.

 

Agree 100%

I think you have to look at each instance on an individual basis.

 

I do agree with this sentiment.

Been involved in a very heated conversation concerning drug tests. I say yes they should play. Some of us have lived a great SHELTERED life. Did you not have any freinds who got high back in school?? Maybe you even smoked some dope, took a pill, I dont know. But not all kids who do dumb things are trash that needs discarded. It makes no sense to kick them out of things that provide, honor, discipline, hard work, and team work..... And do you drug test kids in the band, on the debate team, how about kids who get tutoring or anything extra....Athletes are not your whipping boys or to be made examples of.

 

Now my opinions of course are all within common sense reason. If a student is caught, responsible adults should get them help! set goals, and expectations, be a postive. You deal 20 lbs of cocaine football team may not be for you..... you rape women, or kids, or shoot someone may be best you just watch the game.... but mistakes happen and even good kids take drugs.

I agree with you SK. I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I think the punishment has to fit the crime. Failed drug test may warrant a 2 game suspension but a more serious crime would warrant a more harsh punishment. I'm all about giving kids 2nd chances. Lord knows many of these kids need a father figure and guidance in their lifes and many of them get it through sports. I've seen many kids over the 20+ years I've coached that needed discipline and guidance at a crucial time of their life. That's what keeps me coaching, making a difference in these kids lifes. Nothing more rewarding than seeing a kid with the odds stacked against him succeed and still call you coach 20 years later. Gives me goose bumps

I4C, yeah I was just giving my answer me and you are on same page.

As a coach I am pretty much "old school". I would say most old school guys would just say do away with the kid, off the team. However, I have worked with kids who had bad home lives, made some bad, stupid decisions...and some of those kids, ALL they had positive in their lives were the basketball team and a coach who cared that they do right and tried to set a positive example with church included in and at the forefront of that. To just say the kid can't play period...I just don't agree with that. It has to be case by case. Could a kid do something so bad that he should have the privilege of playing taken away from him? Absolutely. But I think in many cases it may be best for the kid to be allowed to continue to play assuming he learns his lesson and shapes up. That doesn't mean he gets away scot free...I could see a lot of extra running, push ups, workouts and late nights in his future for sure.

Let's use a hypothetical...........what if he/she was charged and found guilty of receiving stolen property and possession of illicit drugs? Should they keep their privilege of being part of a team?

That sounds pretty specific.

I'm pretty sure you can be on house arrest for a felony.

How about this example....A 16 or 17 year old is caught committing voter fraud. That's a felony. Should they be excluded from participating in sports?

How about this example....A 16 or 17 year old is caught committing voter fraud. That's a felony. Should they be excluded from participating in sports?

 

depends on who they voted for.

I guess my criteria would be, if it's a violent felony (rape, possession of a weapon, etc.) they'd have to show real good cause for me to let them on a sports team because I'm responsible for the safety of the other team members. If it's a non-violent felony (drug possession/use, voter fraud, etc.) I don't see any harm in allowing them to be part of the team. There would be a "one-strike" and you're out policy though.

Do you think athletes should be held to a minimum code of conduct? Or are you just saying that "not in jail" is your minimum?

 

I think athletics is a privilege. Not a right. I don't know what each school has a minimum criteria, but I'd hope that non-felon would be one. I'm all for a kid receiving a 2nd chance, but unless he's in an individual sport, he/she (I should say) has influence on other kids in a team sport.

I guess my criteria would be, if it's a violent felony (rape, possession of a weapon, etc.) they'd have to show real good cause for me to let them on a sports team because I'm responsible for the safety of the other team members. If it's a non-violent felony (drug possession/use, voter fraud, etc.) I don't see any harm in allowing them to be part of the team. There would be a "one-strike" and you're out policy though.

 

Most of the kids that have a felony drug conviction are from trafficking and not simple possession. I think any kid with a felony should be banned from sports. Maybe not for their entire career, but until school and judge agree. They are a privilege.

 

On an extremely sad note, you would have to include several elementary and middle school players in this. I've seen kids a young as 10 with more than one felony conviction.