COLUMN: Say it ain't so, sports heroes

From Stephanie Cooperman's, "The Velvet Hammer," Fall '98 From Stephanie Cooperman's, "The Velvet Hammer," Fall '98Frank Brown. Michael Jordan. Geoff Owens. Names that have come to take their places in the minds of students only recently occupied with heroes such as Jim Finn and Matt Rader. These are the names of champions. They play to win, and we watch and hope that they do so. Although they may not be elected, athletes are as leadership-worthy as most campus organization presidents and chairpeople. They occupy the spotlight and serve as spokespeople for the University community at large. That is why athletes must be careful what activities they do choose to engage in, even if they believe that their actions will have no effect; students and the media are watching, ready to criticize and condemn. The same people that can stand on the sidelines and cheer the three-pointer or the touchdown can just as easily denounce the shooter or receiver for his post-game debauchery. But Penn is not alone in the college world in expecting athletes to ride a higher path than most students. College newspapers nationwide identify students as athletes even if the article in which they appear does not center around sports. The media recognizes that once school colors are sported by a student, a certain type of responsibility is also donned. Sadly, the actions of the athlete reflect upon his team as well. The public is quick to condemn any organization that produces members who do wrong, and sports teams often take the fall for the individual. On a professional level, this scenario can be seen in the image of the Dallas Cowboys as rebels and the constant attempt by the media to correlate individual allegations and jail sentences levied against team members with all the players who wear the blue and silver. But collegiate athletes are not immune to the idea that teams are associated with their players. This past Monday, The Technician -- the student newspaper at North Carolina State University -- ran a story concerning the shooting death of a student in his home early Sunday morning. The first paragraph began: "Three N.C. State football players, two members of the NCSU wrestling team and one former member of the NCSU wrestling team have been charged in connection with?" Clearly, athletes don a heavy burden even when not in uniform. College communities see athlete's actions as a direct reflection on their teams and teammates. The NCSU reporter who wrote the article about the shooting death interviewed the wrestling and football coaches, quoting them next to the chief of police. Perhaps unfortunately, student athletes cannot escape the image that their teammates' actions cast on them. Furthermore, whether or not those teammates are found guilty when tried for their alleged crimes is of little importance to the public. Sportsmen nationwide are forced to defend their teammates and the very sports they play from the scrutiny of the media. Athletes at Penn must be careful where they step, as well. I Although it was a tremendous show of school spirit and a much-anticipated event, varsity football players should not help tear down the goal posts -- it is an illegal activity. Of course, Penn athletes will hopefully not be charged with criminal actions in the near future for any other action, either. However, small everyday events are just as likely to contribute to their images. The social revelry that comes after each victory needs to remain acceptable, but champions must also realize that the party centers around them. Whether or not they handle such events with responsibility does not matter if their teammates do not. Students celebrating the athletes' achievements will form judgements without separating the individual from the team. Athletes must not forget that they will lack a truly private sphere while they continue to play the game. As winter sports get further under way, athletes must remember that the Penn community is watching.