Column Time

Here's a column I wrote for my sportswriting class. I haven't written many before, so be easy on me. Enjoy!

Two words mean the world to sports fans in the Sunflower State: Kansas Basketball.

The mystique that surrounds the Jayhawk hoops team doesn't only exist in Lawrence, either. Every high school kid who has laced up his sneakers dreams

about playing college ball at a university like Kansas, and would give everything for the opportunity to be a part of a program so legendary.

That is why the recent negative actions of a few Kansas basketball players is so disappointing. Sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor dislocated his thumb after throwing a punch at a football player, allegedly over a girl. Junior guard Brady Morningstar was suspended by head coach Bill Self for all first semester games after driving under the influence of alcohol and violating curfew at the same time.

Why embarrass the name of such a historic program and university? Why waste such a chance to be idolized by an entire fan base? It's beyond me.

That is how they treat the university after everything it has done for them? A free education, free clothes and shoes, television exposure and the opportunity to showcase talent that may land a big paycheck in the NBA didn't stop these athletes from thinking before they acted. Taylor and Morningstar essentially slapped the university in the face with their actions.

Of course, while being a Division I college basketball player does put one in the limelight, it also shines a spotlight on everything he does. Fans and media are constantly obsessed with every little detail of their lives, causing them to live under a microscope of admiration and scrutiny. Thes

e athletes are people too, and they make mistakes like the rest of us. Their screw-ups are just more noticeable.

But that still doesn't make what they did right and that the public should just brush it off.

Morningstar did compose a public apology, in which he acknowledged that he gave everyone associated with Kansas a "black eye." His first sentence reads:

"Recently I made a regrettable mistake that has let down my family, friends, coaches, teammates, fellow KU student-athletes, the University of Kansas, KU basketball fans and the State whose name I wear proudly across my chest."

A native of Lawrence, Morningstar understands the impact of his actions in the community and beyond. He worked hard to earn a scholarship and a starting spot on the team, even going to a prep school in New Hampshire for a year after high school to improve his game.

"I know how lucky and privileged I am to be living my dream and to be a part of the best college basketball program in the country," Morningstar states near the end of his statement.

I thought this was a very sincere and heartfelt apology, and whether if was Morningstar's idea or not to write it is unknown.

These "black eyes" also couldn't come at a worse time for the team. the Jayhawks are unanimous preseason favorites, ranked No. 1 in nearly every poll. There is talk of a second national championship in three years. With a veteran core led by Big 12 Preseason Co-Players of the Year Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, and a group of young playmakers under their wings, Kansas looks primed to make a deep title run come March. Or at least it did.

The truth of the matter is that these negative events will soon be forgotten once the season gets rolling along. And they should. But college student-athletes should also be smarter than that because they really are held to a higher standard than normal students. Make the most of your opportunities, Jayhawks.