Dateline Dayton — The University of Dayton has joined major league sports. Or possibly they are in a league of their own.
One of Dayton’s star basketball players was charged with domestic abuse. He attacked his girlfriend, the mother of his child. Suspended from school, he no longer was on the basketball team.
In court, he pleaded guilty. The judge told him he was a bad boy, slapped him on one wrist and told him to move on with his life. He actually was given suspended jail time, a small fine and 30 days’ community service.
Is he back in school? Yes. On the team? Yes. Getting back in school and on the team was done by negotiations, whatever that means. It appears Coach Miller wanted him back.. The administration caved.
This is a terrible move. A Catholic institution, should be taking the high moral ground. The University of Dayton appears to condone abuse, not only by allowing this young man back in school, which could be acceptable, but back on the team.
Pro Football Takes the Lead
Pro football finally has seen the light, although not nearly strong enough. The small suspension without pay is nothing, when you consider the amount of money the players make.
In addition to the suspension, they should be required to work in a woman’s abuse center every day of their suspension. Only then should they be allowed to return to the team. For a second offense, they should be banned from all paying sports.
The example given is about abuse, but the same should be true for alcohol and drugs. The suspension time would be spent in an appropriate, facility treating the problem
Owners, such as Jim Irsay of the Indianapolis Colts, should be punished even more severely. He was told he a bad boy, handed a petty cash fine and not allowed to have anything to do with his team for a year. Give me a break!
I realize I am beating a dead horse. If baseball found it necessary to ban Pete Rose for life for betting, why don’t other professional sports feel the same? Because they would lose too many players?
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net
