Winning at all costs

By Guest Writer Bryan

Should anyone be surprised about what happened to the Iowa basketball team? In case you don't know, Pierre Pierce, their leading scorer, was dismissed from the team after a second off the court incident. Steve Alford, Head Coach of Iowa basketball had this to say....

"I regret this step has become necessary, but Pierre betrayed the trust we placed in him when he was giving a chance two years ago."

Yeah, as if people who plead guilty to sexual assault should be given a second chance. The fact of the matter Steve, is that you enabled him to commit this crime. It was you Steve, as well as your Athletic Director, the boosters, and the University President who allowed Pierre to come back and play after sexually assaulting a women's basketball player.

After sexually assaulting a woman, you through the guise of campus Christian groups muscled that girl through "prayer groups" to have the District Attorney lessen the charges. The result..well I'm not sure where the victim was, but Pierre was still allowed to play basketball.

<>Awhile ago, I posted another article about Pierre Pierce that I hoped would spark some discussion. I am not at all surprised that Pierce assaulted another woman. What I am surprised is that a university would ever allow someone to represent their school after being charged with that crime. Exactly how are father's of daughters who attend Iowa supposed to think about that university when they allow a criminal to play basketball?

When Steve Alford looks in the mirror, what do you think he sees? Do you think he sees the great Indiana basketball player who now teaches the game to the next generation, or do you think he sees the enabler of a criminal to play basketball, just because he is talented enough to put a ball through a ten foot high basket? My guess is the former.

This is what college sports have come to. Remember back when Sport's Illustrated ran the front page article about why Miami should scrap their football team? Sure, they might have improved, but what exactly is a winning team in college sports? Is it the Illini who may go undefeated this season? Was it USC this year in football?

The only time I am ever surprised in college sports is when I see a great team without scumbags for coaches and criminals for players. Exactly what is the price of winning? I'm not sure, but for Steve Alford and all of Iowa basketball fans, it seems to be their integrity.