I am curious how the arrest rate of our student athletes compares to the student population in general. I would love to see a statistical analysis that would look at:
1. How does the football student athlete's arrest rate differ from those of other sports? 2. How does the arrest rate for football student athletes differ by the general student population or the general population when controlled by SAT score and high school QPA? 3. How does the football student athlete's arrest rate across the NCAA compare to the rates when the athletic departments had more control over the athletes (e.g. when there were athletic dorms and curfews)? Jerry From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 5:55 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [gatornews] [Jacksonville.com] For Gators, harsh light comes with spotlight For Gators, harsh light comes with spotlight * By Gene Frenette <http://www.jacksonville.com/authors/gene_frenette> * Story updated at 4:40 AM on Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2009 There's no reason for University of Florida fans to be ignoring, or dismissing as media hype, this new reality series of "24" that features Urban Meyer instead of Jack Bauer as the lead character. There are two dozen instances of players facing misdemeanor or felony charges during Meyer's four-year reign as the UF football coach, while capturing two national championships during that time. Any big-time school with those kind of numbers is going to attract unflattering publicity. It doesn't matter if you're Florida, Southern Cal, Texas or Alabama, the program's image is going to take a hit. For the past month, ever since cornerback Janoris Jenkins became No. 24 on the arrest docket, it's been UF's turn in this negative spin cycle. The truth is Meyer and the Gators must learn to live with the fallout, no matter how much they detest the perception. Similar to other teams who have dealt with law-unabiding players, a little context is necessary. Not all arrests, charges or convictions are created equal. Of the 24 arrests (involving 19 players) during Meyer's tenure, more than half of the charges were dismissed or dropped. Fans will draw their own conclusion from that, often contingent upon whether they love or loathe the Gators. Nine of the charges involved a felony, and four of those cases were either dropped or dismissed. Four other cases were reduced to misdemeanors through a plea deal, while another is pending. Exactly what do these numbers mean? Is Meyer letting the inmates run the asylum as long as it ends with a championship? Or is too much being made of mostly misdemeanors, compelling the media or UF critics to sensationalize this issue? Looking at the overall body of illegality, both conclusions have some validity. What players such as Jamar Hornsby, Jacques Rickerson, Cam Newton and Ronnie Wilson did were serious offenses. Meyer kicked three of them off the team after a second or third charge, which leaves the coach open to charges of being too lenient to begin with, or not diligent enough in checking out their character. Newton was suspended for a year and later transferred. But here's the bottom line in debating Meyer's record as steward of one of the nation's most successful football programs - 24 arrests in four years is an attention-getter. Georgia had 30 in the same time frame, which put a bull's-eye on head coach Mark Richt when that number started climbing. Florida State, Tennessee and Miami, which once relished in its Thug U image, have each absorbed their share of media criticism when players were involved in too many off-the-field incidents. The media pendulum of praise and criticism swings both ways. Florida gladly accepts the commendations star quarterback Tim Tebow receives for his community service, so Meyer's program and fan base can't gripe too much over this arresting development. It's part of the price Florida must pay for being on top. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
