Standing Up for Student-Athletes

By Nick Stevens

Posted: January 15, 2007

As you have probably heard, Wakefield High School lost another student to an automobile accident on Sunday. According to the Raleigh Police Department, the driver (18) had alcohol in his body, blowing a .06 BAC.

As a high school senior in Wake County, I always find it interesting to hear the public input after a tragedy such as this happens. As I read the comments over the past several hours on WRAL.com, I have not only been astonished, but offended.

The stereotype being put on high school students is definitely false, but especially the one put on the high school athletes. Sadiki Young, according to his mother, excelled not only in academics, but in soccer, lacrosse, and wrestling. Young made the Cap-Seven All-Academic team in all three sports. Reading the comments on the front page story is heartbreaking.

Regardless of what the ignorant Joe might think, not all high school athletes are alcoholics. In fact, most of them aren't.

Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to interact and spend time with high school athletes across the WRAL viewing area. Almost all of them, especially the ones that excel in sports, seem very responsible and are down to earth. One accident does not change that.

I don't know the background of the people leaving comments like "all high schoolers are irresponsible," or, "all athletes are alcoholics," but it's wrong, it's a stereotype, and it shows the ignorance of some people. Most athletes are good people, and I would suspect that most of the people leaving the comments don't interact with high schoolers and high school athletes.

All I am asking is that people stop the stereotypical comments, because they are insulting, misinformed, and down right wrong. Take time and talk to one of the players on a local high school team, you'll be surprised at what they say. No high school student, or student-athlete for that matter, is going to agree with the decision to drink and drive, or ride with someone who has been drinking. Before you go making assumptions, learn the truth.

3 Comments

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This seems to be more of a teenager problem than an athlete problem. It is dangerous to assume that one group of teens is much more likely to participate in such behavior than another group of teenagers. We need to be very serious with our young people, not condoning such behavior and making it very clear that such behavior is unacceptable and will be met with consequences. That being said, teenagers now have many opportunites to participate with such things and there are very few teenagers who are immuned if placed in the right situation. It doesn't mean they are bad kids, just kids and trying to find a place in the world. Many do it because they like too, many because of the need to be accepted and others out of curiosity. I warn parents who brag of their "iron fist" tactics and how they have it all figured out. If you think you know what your teen is doing at all times, you don't. Let that fact humble you. Do not wait to be rudely awakend by a call from police.

pamelahnc2
January 18, 2007 6:21 p.m.

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I had three daughters, all completed High School and College. I now have seven grandchildren. The deal with all of them is, you can drink when you are 21 years old. You cannot drink and drive, ever. If you do, dad or grandad (same guy) will take your license for a year. You will not get a new "hot rod". You will get a good used car that is "sane" and not a rocket. I will teach you how to fix them and I will give you the tools to do so. If you drink and drive or just squall the tires and raise hell with the car, you will lose it too. So far this thought and close monitoring has worked.

rhamkatte
January 16, 2007 1:35 a.m.

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I agree with you one hundred percent. I am a parent of high school students and high school athletes. Most high school students and athletes will not. However, there are some that do. You are right that we should not stereotype and lable all HS students and athletes that way. I also think we need to be realistic and realize that drinking and driving does occur with some of the people in this category. I also know that there are some parents who allow their HS child(ren) and their friends to do it at their house because they think it is ok. They have to realize that it is not ok. This issue has to be dealt with and discussed not only amoung the teenagers, but the parents and the commumity as a whole. Parents need to start taking more responsibility with their children. The HS need to take more responsibility for their actions and realize and understand the possible outcome of those actions. The community needs to crake down hard on those that buy and sell alcohol for underage drinkers.

sweeethng
January 15, 2007 3:35 p.m.

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