A Question of Character

This is the statement posted under NCAA.org page of the core values of any NCAA athlete. It says, "The collegiate model of athletics in which students participate as an avocation, balancing their academic, social and athletics experiences." To sum this statement up it says go to class, be a good sport and learn as much as you can both on the athletic fields as well as social and classroom environment. In order to learn from class you have to go to it. Derrick Character this is to you. You are one of the most promising athletes that was recruited this year. You chose a historical program with a great reputation and you have failed them. You are a freshman. You don't make the rules, you follow them. If you have class at 8 a.m. then you should be there at 7:50. If practice is at 4:30, show up at 4:15. You chose to play NCAA Division 1 college basketball at a great academic and athletic institution. You are taking advantage of it. Dick Vitale, Denny Crum and Rick Petino all coached there. Pervis Ellison, Darrell Griffith, Charlie Tyra, Jim Price and Billy Thompson all played there before you. If you want to be remembered as the kid who never went to class, violated a written contract with coaches almost immediately after you signed it, go ahead keep doing what you are doing. But if you want to be remembered for your tremendous basketball abilities, go to class, go to practice. it is your responsibility to the University, to the alumni, to your coaches, to your team, to the fans and most of all to yourself. Take Art 101, take cooking, take ballroom dancing, just take something and show up. I am sure that your teachers will cut you some slack for being apart of the basketball team. After all you are a basketball school filled with a rich history and a tremendous future.