Monday, August 29, 2005
Enough is enough. This is not what Kansas athletics is about.
A week ago, Kansas prepared for the start of the football season. This was an opportunity for the Jayhawks to start on a clean slate after the fallout of departed running back John Randle. Then there was an incident at a Kenny Chesney concert involving sophomore fullback Bruce Ringwood.
The men’s basketball team is still having problems after current and former members were spotted at Abe and Jake’s Landing, 6th and New Hampshire streets, Saturday night when several fights started.
The Lawrence Police Department responded to a brawl that erupted at Abe and Jake’s earlier that night. Tyler Tornaden, Abe and Jake’s manager, said student athletes did not initiate the brawl, but tried to break it up.
Sophomore guard Rodrick Stewart was injured during the incident and treated at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Former guard Aaron Miles and former forward Moulaye Niang were also spotted at the hospital that night.
I hope Rodrick’s recovering well, but it never should have to come to this.
I’m aware that student athletes undergo enormous pressure to succeed on the field or on the court. I can understand the difficulty of constant expectations to excel, even in the offseason. But there are different ways to deal with these types of incidents.
I propose a simple solution: walk away.
Below are several reasons why student athletes need to walk away from these kinds of situations.
First, while it’s admirable to try and break up a fight from getting out of control, it would be unfortunate to get hurt in the process. Student athletes should consider their personal safety. An individual in a fight could be carrying a knife — or even a gun. It is not worth the risk.
Furthermore, athletes should consider their athletic careers. Helping or being involved in a brawl can turn into disaster. For instance, athletes should not risk their athletic and or professional careers on getting involved in a bar brawl.
Also, consider the reputation of Kansas Athletics, which has declined over the past year. Randle was arrested five times since November 2003. Giddens left the school in the offseason after getting stabbed in his right calf. Kansas football coach Mark Mangino suspended Ringwood last week for assaulting a woman and her husband at a Kenny Chesney concert at Kemper Arena. Now, the Abe and Jake’s incident happens.
I know every athlete isn’t responsible for these incidents. Simply put, though, this is embarrassing.
Many student athletes come to the University on a partial or full-ride scholarship. They should not undermine the value of a free education by getting involved in brawls.
Athletes should have a social life, but there are ways to go out and have a good time without the police getting involved. When the night ends, we should be concentrating on beating Kansas State and Missouri instead of diverting attention to the hospital.
So do yourselves, the fans and the police all a favor — walk away.
Sorrentino is a Plano, Texas, senior in journalism. He is Kansan associate sports editor.Brawl erupts at Abe and Jake's
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