COLUMN: Athletics needs to send a better message to the university

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Not expected to miss any games?

Why?

Why has there been no explanation about the Central Michigan football player that stole a bike?

Good thing it was a “bait bike,” otherwise this guy would possess someone’s bike. Lorenzo White represents CMU football, athletics and the students.

Even though he may have paid for his joyride, I still question the message athletics could be sending out without some sort of game suspension.

Has morality and conduct gone by the wayside?

Theft is theft, first time or not. A CMU athlete needs to set a positive image for this community.

CMU athletics should have zero tolerance for this kind of activity. Athletes representing this institution and community need to have more than just a court punishment in such cases. Granted there should be leniency, but come on. This is simply stupidity on the athletic department and the university for allowing this activity to go on with its athletes.

Of course no one could expect us to watch an athlete 24/7, but when a problem arises around an athlete’s actions, then this place should have the decency to set forth with some stronger policy than one that says go ahead and play.

Is it because he is on the football team? Or does it mean any athlete can go steal something on campus and know they can play for the team at the next game?

Of course, this is only my take on this situation and I may not understand how the internal working of our athletic department works. However, I do know CMU has a student code of conduct and I would think the athletes would have something similar.

Perhaps I am wrong and the athletes’ standards at CMU are not a high standard.

I don’t want to see White out for the season or off the team. People do screw up and deserve a second chance.

Hell, I am living proof of a screw up with second chances. But I do have a concern that the message sent here is one that does not fit.

Even I have to accept punishment from employers and people I represented and it sucked, but the message was clear. My stupidity was unaccepted. So athletics or the university should do the same.

I believe this is just one of many coddling incidences from our athletic department. The message is that CMU athletes can be thieves and still play for the team. Thanks, I am proud to be represented by that standard.

Everyone is accountable. We all need to stand up and ask: what is happening here at CMU? Send a better message to the community and not one that gives off the impression that it’s okay to steal.