The team posed for a group photo with the members using
little more than golf clubs to cover their genatilia.
Then, the photograph was posted on Facebook, with a caption
clearly identifying the students as attending Bethany College.
Arguably, in this day and age, this was hardly a
transgression of the worst kind. No one was forced to see the photo, and it
wasn’t until after the Bethany College’s Athletic Director and Golf Coach, Jon
Daniels, decided the punishment, that people started reacting.
Which means the photo is still receiving much more coverage
than the students posing in it.
Bethany College is a small, private school of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America based in Lindsborg, Kansas. The
school enrolls approximately 600 undergraduate 600 students, with a large focus on the fine arts,
especially music. The town of Lindsborg has a population of approximately 3,350 and is
located between Salina and Wichita along Interstate 135.
The sport of golf has a history of being relatively conservative
in nature, with one of the most prestigious courses, Augusta National Golf Course still not open to women players, only visitors.
Case in point regarding how conservative golf can be, an article regarding women’s golf clothing trends online at “Parent Place” stated earlier this summer, “As golf is traditionally a more conservative sport, you want to be comfortable without baring so much skin as to look too casual.” Indicating that this is not a sport
that appreciates much frivolity and humor.
Or nudity.
Given this attitude of conservatism, what would make the men's golf team think this was a good idea? One team member stated they got the idea from a June 2004 photos of the University of California at Los Angeles men's golf team, where members hold buckets of golf balls in strategic areas
of their bodies. Although one team was at a large public institution and the
other team is at a small, fairly conservative private school, many of the public comments have been less than approving of the private college's decision.
As some other columnists have noted, such as in the San Francisco Chronicle, perhaps the original punishment was severe because the team
plays in tournaments such as the Evangel Fall Invitational and competes against
colleges that may not have appreciated the attention to this photo, such as Missouri Baptist, also a faith based, conservative
institution.
My opinion is any type of punishment should be pragmatic in nature. If the
students realize why their actions were wrong, then the punishment has merit. Originally, I did not believe this was the
case with the suspensions. Missing those tournaments had potential to nix player’s scholarships and further NAIA eligibility.
Even the Coach Daniels seemed to have a difficult time at first
explaining what the team did wrong, saying, "I've been around a long time and I think this is a case of young people who just don't think beyond the moment and don't realize who they're hurting." Although it is possible that as Athletic Director, Daniels interpreted the basic aims of the athletics department to include this being a disrespect for the privilege of playing for Bethany College.
Now, however, the appeal has been heard and the team was only suspended one game.
In addition to this, all team members were assigned an essay
and presentation on the perils of social media. This approach to the conflict is much more aligned with the
Bethany College mission statement and that of the athletic department as well, including the fostering of “active learning and meaning practical experience, in and beyond the classroom.”
School officials have to realize they could not
have asked for more promotion of their school but their approach to the issue
was causing them negative attention. By using this as a learning tool, they
have removed some of the stigma that was building around the initial response. I would also argue that by reconsidering the initial reaction
the college administrators personify good sportsmanship by treating the
students as developing adults.
Society has grown to become way too sensitive. While there may be some individual or ethical considerations that factor in, the truth is that the team did nothing wrong. While the photo was suggestive there was no actual exposure of inappropriate body parts. I love that the coach states that these young men did not realize who they were hurting. It would be very important for the sake of this argument that we actually identify who was hurt. I cannot think of anyone. The photo was not forced on anyone or handed out on flyers at a local elementary school. Even if it was, all that would be seen are white man thighs and bare pecks. While this may not make for the most pleasant viewing experience it also does not make for an inappropriate one. While I do not agree with even the one game suspension that was finally decided upon, it would have been a true shame if these players would have had to forfeit their entire season.
ReplyDeleteInteresting issue! Over in the 'Really, this is unbelievable" blog, Amy just posted an entry about whether character development in necessary in K-12 educational settings. Let me take a contrairian approach to the institutions response to the golf team and try to tie it back to Amy's post. While I am personally fine with the photograph that members of the golf team took of themselves, I fully support Bethany's disciplinary decision (and wonder if a women's sports team or any non-athletic related group would have been given a reduced 'educational' sanction). In fact,I would have been fine if these students had been expelled for violating the institution's code of conduct. Students that make the decision to attend institutions like Bethany (and Bob Jones for those of you who read the book UNC handed out to all first-year students) are hopefully aware of what they are committing to. What are these students learning, and how do these institutions further develop the character of their students, when they reduce their sanctions? To be clear-- as a professional at a public institution I agree with your final paragraph.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the connection Matt. I understand there was no harm to others, or even, themselves by taking this picture. However, when you take on a leadership role (athlete, clubs officer, OL, RA, etc.) there is an extra spotlight on your actions, heightening even something as a facebook picture to mean something more than face value.
ReplyDeleteI talk to student leaders all the time about the glass house. They now, whether they like it or not, are being watched constantly by whomever at the institution. The expectations for their behavior has changed- fair or not. I usually also say "now that you live in a glass house, don't throw your own stones."
But students do throw their own stones, windows break, and that almost is my favorite time with students. That is when the learning can happen. I'm happy to see that the coach reconsidered the punishment to be more inline with the educational mission of the institution. So it seems in higher education we teach character. Or do we? Still asking the question I did on my blog.
I have a hard time taking the entire situation seriously and that the picture should be considered punishable. I understand that students who take on particular roles in the university have additional standards they are required to live by. They choose to be in that role meaning they accept the responsibilities associated with their role; however, I do not see how the picture "hurts" anyone.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the mission of the university and the more conservative guidelines they have to live by, I understand why they coach felt like he needed to discipline the students. Taking away the chance to play in the next three games is a ridiculous punishment and in no way teaches the students anything about their behavior though. That punishment is making a spectacle of the students, not helping them develop. Janella, I agree that letting the students appeal the punishment and explain their actions does allow for the students to act as developing adults and teaches them a more important lesson-take responsibility for your actions.
Interesting issue. I understand administrators have to do some clean-up (the alumni base for an institution like this can't be happy with this media coverage), but their response seems more focused on fixing their external appearance than educating their students.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Bethany college should impose the same sanctions for all their students? Or should student athletes have more strict sanctions as they represent the institution?
I agree with you that suspension is not a good type of punishment because of the lack of their experience, the college should aware these students intensively and give them extra classes that discuss bad behaviors and its effects on the players’ professional career and their image in the future.
ReplyDeleteI still believe that in this kind of actions or behaviors need a punishment. We should plan well what and how to punish them. Moreover, we should select a suitable punishment that can be helpful for the college and students at the same time. Also, this planned punishment can develop their characters, and makes them be role models and responsible for their fans.