I first saw the report on the Journal Star’s website last night that over 60 people — most of them Bradley students — were ticketed at an underage drinking party near Bradley’s campus. This morning, the paper reports that two-thirds of them were Bradley athletes.
Forty-four were listed on the rosters of Bradley athletic teams, including men’s cross country, soccer, baseball and tennis, and women’s tennis, softball, cross country and track and field.
After the deaths of two Bradley students last year, the university stated it was really going to crack down on underage drinking, not so much because it’s illegal, but because it had become a safety problem and was hurting the university’s image. So they came up with an “action plan” that was implemented in April of this year. Now we’ll get to see how effective the university’s Comprehensive Alcohol Action Plan is, especially for student athletes:
Student-athletes found to be in violation of these guidelines will be subject to penalties imposed by the Head Coach and/or the Director of Athletics. Penalties will be in addition to those imposed by the University and/or the Court of Law.
I will be interested to hear what penalties the Head Coach and/or the Director of Athletics imposes on these 44 student athletes.
It is interesting that no MAJOR income producing sport athletes (Basketball) were ticketed. Hmmmm… not invited? Not caught? Not economically feasible?
kodad: I believe the basketball mens team were in florida.
Possiblly fortunate the Bradley Basketball men’s team was out of town. Or has Coach Les gotten “through” to them?
It will also be interesting as many/some/??? weren’t drinking – they were ticketed for being present. Will they be punished differently?
I hope Bradley understands what District 150 doesn’t comprehend. The threat or the rule doesn’t deter inappropriate behavior; it is the consequences. As in the case of 150, parents and students were asked to sign a contract making all sorts of promises about accepting reponsibility and obeying rules, etc. (at least, that was the plan for the 9th grade academy). However, the “consequences” part was either omitted or “not a sure” thing.
Wow, Sharon. You said a mouthful.
It was easy for me to be all smug about consequences, etc. But it’s a bit harder actually to read the story and the names (when I was sure there wouldn’t be anyone I knew) only to find that I do know two of the students who were at the party. And I also know that they are ordinarily very responsible young people with very responsible and involved parents. Now I don’t feel quite so judgmental–just hopeful that they learn whatever lesson they need to learn. I don’t envy those of you who are parents because all parents must have to live in glass houses, awaiting the day when their children are all grown and out of harms way–if that day ever comes.
This reminds me of when I was in high school and a local party got busted. After my mom read all of the names in the paper she turned to me and said “you must have left early”.
And here we are, making criminals out of adults — legally able to volunteer and fight for our country — for having a drink. Hell, some of them were arrested for being in the same room.
Legally able to volunteer and serve, but they didn’t.
And illegally able to drink, and go against Bradley’s policy on alcohol and they did.
Mazr, it sounds like your mom was one smart lady who knew her son well.
Sharon, Mazr, Billy, kcdad—
Thank you for thoughtful, understanding responses. I was just over at pjstar where the comments are out of control.
I think there is a correlation between America’s many legal prohibitions against drinking by those under 21 and the problem with binge drinking. By making it forbidden fruit, we make it something young people really want to do.
Billy – You make a good point – Some were arrested for being in the same room as underage drinkers. Does this mean that you or I should start asking others in a bar/tavern for their ID?
Billy – I have two young daughters that are getting to that age where their friends are trying alcohol or at least thinking about it. Although I preach a different story at home (believe me the BU story was dinner table conversation last night), I must agree with you that other cultures do not make it such a big deal and it seems to work. I have lived in several others countries where kids are allowed to drink as early as 16 and so, they drink but not excessively. I have told my children that if they wish to try a glass of wine, etc. than they should do so at home.
Frustrated: Such is the state of our laws, you could go to jail and lose your children for doing just that. Many people would be frothing at the mouth that more could not be done to punish you.
When Dad was a teenager at Manual High School, he and his buddy would have lunch at a bar across the street from the Peoria Police Department. And they would drink a beer. The bartender, as a matter of personal policy, world not serve teens more than one beer.
I am was a teenager when the 21 and over only law went into effect here. I attended a graduation party in which drinks were served and adults supervised.
These adults would be put in jail today.
No, Bill, frustrated could not “go to jail and lose (his/her) children for” providing them a glass of wine in their own home.
Getting a 5-year old drunk, yes. Providing a glass of wine to a child that they are not the parent or guardian of, yes,
Giving your own teenager a glass of wine, no.
Personally, I agree with the 21age limit. What I saw and still see is that the LEGAL limit and the ACTUAL, ENFORCED limit is different.
Much like a 65MPH speed limit means 70.
When 18 year old could legally purchase alcohol, it was easily obtained by 15/16-year olds. Now that it is 21, the easy of access seems to be about 18.
Billy says, “And here we are, making criminals out of adults….”
Nope, we’re not making criminals out of anyone. Those who break the law make themselves criminals. Nobody’s forcing them to drink.
Billy says, “I think there is a correlation between America’s many legal prohibitions against drinking by those under 21 and the problem with binge drinking.”
And I think we’ve been over these arguments before in this country.
Ok, maybe I didn’t read Billy’s post close enough. Since I have a 15 year old, I am in no way supporting lowering the drinking age. My biggest concern are teens drinking to much and the drinking/driving issue. I do not know if making 21 the drinking age is a deterrent to these problems, but I am willing to go with it. I was simply supporting Billy’s “forbidden fruit” idea generally. Some families make it so taboo and thus more tempting. I want my children to be able to come to me and be honest. My parents used to allow me to have a drink when we went out to dinner on vacation or on a special occasion when I was 16 or so. Not whisky on the rocks mind you, but a blended drink of some type. As a result, I never felt the need to drink behind my parents backs and was not interested in drinking cheap beer or trash can punch at a party. By the way, my children have no interest in taking me up on my offer, at least for now.
Another related topic to this is families modeling the correct behavior. I think many parents ask their children to behave in one way and then behavior another. My husband and I frequently have a glass of wine with dinner and when we go out with friends. But . . . our children see us drink in moderation and also witness my huband checking with me before having another drink to make sure I stop drinking and am willing to drive us home. We try to discuss these matters openly with our children. I guess time will tell if it works.
I think we’ve all lost sight of why people are concerned about this issue. We remember the Bradley students whose tragic deaths involved drinking. When I was young, drunk driving laws were not nearly as punitive, etc. I don’t know the statistics as to whether or not stricter laws have decreased or increased alcohol related deaths. But I do believe that the “morality” and/or “legal” arguments are minor compared to the consideration that these “fun” parties can quickly turn into extreme sadness and regret. I listened to some of the Bradley students on the news stating that they were going to drink no matter what the rules are. I’m not sure how Bradley is going to deal with that attitude and its results.
Billy billy billy billy billy….
Binge drinking is not a rebellion against laws. Come on… wake up. It is a reaction to Hollywood, and Animal House; A PARODY of campus life. It is living out the ridiculous parodies of drunken idiots that our young people somehow think are normal. Shows like Jackass, Punk’d, and movies (anything with an actor from Saturday Night Live) like Beerfest or the like, these nonthinking , uncritical young people just “wanna be” like them.
WOW nearly 10% of our populaton, about 30 million, is the same number of 18-24 year old enrolled in colleges (as of 2005). That is 10 % of our total population… BUT over 90% of the 18-25 age population… 32.1 million.
http://nces.ed.gov/fastFacts/display.asp?id=98
kcdad, I don’t recall anyone being charged with binge drinking, nor did it include the BAC levels of those ticketed. I think most of your post is based on a lifestyle that you assume most college kids are living. Having been to college within this decade I certainly can admit to the stupidity of some students, but hardly all are guilty of living the Animal House lifestyle you claim. I wouldn’t get National Lampoon’s Van Wilder confused for a documentary on the college lifetstyle.