College athletes often get second chances for serious crimes

Madison Rexroat

It is no question that student athletes are treated differently than regular college students, and with good reason. When it comes to facing criminal consequences, unfortunately, it’s the same story.   

More than 108 college athletes who faced criminal charges between 2011 and 2016 were accepted by other schools, often with sports scholarships, according to a Wall Street Journal review of Division I football and basketball teams. Some of those charges included armed robbery and rape.

The NCAA has urged schools to “consider developing legislation to address college athletes involved in reported incidents of sexual violence,” but there is not yet a standard protocol for running background checks or handling potential students that have criminal records.

While some believe that these young men should be given second chances, others feel that many times, they’ve been given several chances and that they shouldn’t receive the glory that student athletes so often get. 

To read the full article in The Wall Street Journal, click here