PREPNET / SPEAK OUT

Should high schools hold athletes to stricter conduct codes than they do other students?

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KRISTA LITTLE

Irvine, Swimming

I think that athletes should be held to stronger conduct codes because most athletes know the meaning of responsibility and know the meaning of teamwork. It takes a lot of responsibility to be able to compete in athletics and manage one’s time what with homework and exams to study for. Most athletes show more responsibility and are much more organized, because in order to compete, and take time to practice everyday, it’s necessary to manage time. Athletes are also looked up to by many other students, and it is important to set an example to their peers. If athletes are conducting themselves in an inappropriate manner, other students are going to see that, and think it is OK. Athletes should definitely have a stronger conduct code.

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BROOKE WEEKLEY

Capistrano Valley, Softball

Athletes are just like everyone else; they just have the talent to play a sport. In life, they treat athletes differently, they favor them. It can be a good thing, and a bad thing, but it should be the same standard for everybody. Athletes shouldn’t have special privileges.

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LAUREN KING

Dana Hills, Softball

You’re representing your school and it needs you to play at your highest ability, and going by [stricter] rules can help you play to your highest ability because it keeps you out of trouble.

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JOHN HAWKS

Santa Margarita, Volleyball Coach

I don’t think athletes should be held to a higher standard. In terms of normal day-to-day activity, there shouldn’t be anything different or special about the treatment between a student or a student who is also an athlete. But it’s natural that athletes are more scrutinized because they are representatives of the school. But to me . . . they have enough pressure as it is.

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BRIAN WOOLDRIDGE

Orange Lutheran, Parent

Yes, they should. They represent the school and high school athletics is a privilege and not a right and they should have the highest standards of conduct.

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JIM FRUTH

Rosary, Asst. Softball Coach

They should because they are setting a standard by representing the school on and off the field. Today, many students still look up to athletes as behavior models and it starts in grade school and high school.

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