As the Athletics Department moved on, one would think it would keep a close eye on what its athletes – particularly high-profile ones – are doing.

But that doesn’t seem to be the case.

The Athletics Department was unaware of former defensive lineman De’Onte Burnam’s prior arrests before his dismissal from the program.

Burnam was arrested Aug. 30 and charged with a felony count for the delivery and manufacture of marijuana, according to court documents. Records also show he was arrested and charged twice with misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2006.

The arrests came to light after Burnam was arrested again earlier this month and charged with delivering and manufacturing cocaine and assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer. Burnam pleaded guilty Thursday to maintaining a drug house and resisting a police officer.

The fact that Athletics was unaware of Burnam’s prior arrests is disturbing.

It begs the question: What is Athletics doing to keep tabs on its athletes?

Athletics Director Dave Heeke said changes could be on the way after this incident. He said the department monitors what its athletes are doing.

Obviously, it didn’t monitor Burnam enough.

The changes Heeke hinted at need to happen.

It could be that there no other arrests of athletes. But if Athletics missed an arrest that took place in Isabella County, what happens if an athlete is arrested outside Isabella County?

As scholarship athletes, people who play collegiate sports are held to a higher standard. They don’t need to be getting arrested. It gives Athletics a bad name.

The Burnam case should serve as a wakeup call.

Coaches and administrators need to know what athletes are doing during their free time. Athletics doesn’t need to get caught being unaware of its athletes again.

A system should be in place to find out these types of things. Background checks and reading police and newspaper reports are just some of the things that could be done.

Athletics needs to take a proactive approach to ensuring its athletes are following the law.

Many times it’s athletics that get a school’s name out there. More people certainly know about CMU after its Mid-American Conference football title last season.

But for all the good athletics bring, it also can bring bad.

The Graham case was a perfect example of that.

And if athletes are getting arrested and the department doesn’t know about it, more bad publicity is sure to come.

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