Talk about integrity

Sports agent was not only person to hurt University's reputation

Whether they want to or not, student athletes represent the University.

Supposedly, the University prepares them to handle potential ethical dilemmas and embarrassing situations. The goal of this counseling is to ensure that students will act responsibly and in a way that will not damage the image of the University.

However, within the past month, some prominent athletes have let down their coaches, their fans, their teams and their school.

Three members of the University wrestling team were suspended for two matches after being charged with public intoxication this month at an Iowa City nightclub. Also, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who failed to perform academically last semester, was suspended from the football team because of his lack of progress.

But the most serious offense involved star football tailback Curtis Enis, who violated NCAA regulations by accepting a suit and shirt from sports agent Jeff Nalley.

"Placing blame mostly on people outside the University is a mistake."

The incident attracted the attention of University President Graham Spanier, who posted a statement on the World Wide Web pointing out the "unconscionable" actions of Nalley. The agent may now face criminal charges, a civil suit and disbarment from the NFL, actions encouraged by Spanier in his statement.

Members of the athletic department, including head football coach Joe Paterno and head wrestling coach John Fritz, should be commended for their suspension of athletes who violated University policy. But the University's official statements focus on the lack of responsibility of outside individuals, such as agents.

Spanier, in his Web message, fails to fully recognize the other "unconscionable" half of the Enis incident - the irresponsible actions of the athlete.

Players like Enis, who may be role models for others, should be required to maintain the same level of integrity that Spanier suggests agents adhere to.

Placing blame mostly on people outside the University is a mistake. Instead, the University should look inward and be more concerned with the decisions and actions of its own members.

Too often, officials become involved with issues that directly affect few, if any, students. While Spanier has attacked Nalley with amazing gusto, in other more important battles, he has chosen to remain on the sidelines.

Even though hundreds of students attended the State College Borough Council meeting last spring to protest the ordinance that regulated off-campus student housing, Spanier did not bother to appear.

Nalley, and other unscrupulous agents like him, are not without blame. Athletes must learn to act responsibly and realize that their actions have wider consequences than their personal reputations. And instead of spearheading a wild goose chase, Spanier and other administrators should focus inward and target the problems students deal with on a daily basis.