Editor, Times-Union: After reading the article regarding the Warsaw High School Athletic Code revisions my heart was saddened. It appears that there may be a need for further definitions of the term "accessory," so someone at the wrong place at the wrong time is not punished. But for parents to argue the strictness of the penalties for violations has me concerned. Each athlete is provided an athletic code when he or she agrees to play sports. As one student stated, the suspension of 365 days would be a deterrent to violating the code in the first place. What type of example are we setting when we say you can be privileged to play athletics for your school and community, and therefore, we will treat you privileged when you do wrong? These high school athletes are aged 15 to 18. They know not to drink alcohol or do drugs. They are young adults who represent their school and their community. Only a small percentage of the school population plays sports. If a student is an athlete in high school they probably played sports in elementary or middle school as well. Hours and hours of hard work, skill and determination must be spent in order to play their sport well. Drugs and alcohol have no place here. With the distinction of being a Warsaw Tiger athlete also comes a responsibility to act and behave as a role model to the younger students. Who hasn't enjoyed the game of Kevin Ault, former Tiger basketball player and Indiana's Mr. Basketball? It's our job as parents and a community to teach our children that their actions affect more people than just themselves. Let's start being pro-active and say to our teenagers that when you choose to violate the WCHS athletic code by drinking alcohol and doing drugs, then you also choose to not play the sport you love. The parents of the young students who stood for the proposed revisions should feel very proud of their maturity. All athletes deserve a drug-free and alcohol-free atmosphere in which to showcase their skill and talent. I urge the community to take a stand against drugs and alcohol, especially in our school systems!
