Student-Athletes ‘Out Of Control’ Universities Look For Answers To Criminal Behavior

Athletes at Idaho State University, who make up only 2 percent of the students, were involved in 14 percent of the violations of the school’s conduct code, President Richard Bowen told the state Board of Education on Thursday.

“Something precious has gotten out of control,” Bowen said.

Bowen, Boise State University President Charles Ruch and interim University of Idaho President Thomas Bell reported to the board on problems with student-athletes at the three universities. In reports requested by the board, the schools listed the number of criminal charges against athletes.

ISU’s report said in 1993-94, student athletes were involved in 40 percent of arrests and 25 percent of student infractions.

Board member Thomas Dillon, Caldwell, called for policy requiring student-athletes to disclose all criminal convictions and pending criminal charges before being allowed to participate in sports.

Among other things, Dillon’s proposal also would bar anyone with a felony conviction from participating in Idaho college athletics.

“I think the board must step forward on this issue,” Dillon said.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Anne Fox agreed and urged formation of a special student athletics watchdog committee. But the board defeated a motion to create the committee.

Bowen said he liked Dillon’s idea. “I think it is a healthy package,” he said.

The board later appointed a committee to look into Dillon’s ideas, which included requiring each university to have a written policy for dealing with athletes who get into trouble.

He also proposed that no one convicted of a felony be recruited for collegiate sports. Likewise, athletes would be removed from a team if convicted of a felony. Financial aid would also be canceled.

An annual team meeting to review rules would be required at the beginning of each season, according to Dillon’s plan.

In addition, he said institutions should have a drug education and drug testing programs. Dillon said clear and concise direction is what the board needs to provide to institutions.

Board member Roy Mosman agreed.

“I think the theme of this whole thing should be actions have consequences,” he said. The charge of the committee, he said, should be spelling out those consequences.

The board will discuss the issue again at its Oct. 19-20 meeting in Twin Falls.

Bell said after working with law enforcement agencies, Idaho officials found 10 criminal cases involving current athletes in the UI football program from 1989 to present. He said the school still is completing reports for other sports.

“We regret these 10 incidents by football players,” he said. “None of them are of an extreme nature. Some are known to the athletic department and some were not and are currently being assessed.”