Bullying and Athletes

Posted by Barbara Pytel Feb 15, 2008

Double Standard?

I have observed athletes being treated a notch better than other students by not only the students but by teachers, as well. This has not been true in every school but in some. A recent study shows that even on playgrounds in elementary school, athletic students hold a higher regard than nonathletic students.

$11.5 Million

So, it should come as no surprise that a Manhattan federal court jury found Anucha Browne Sanders deserved $11.5 million for sexual harassment. The Knicks coach, Isiah Thomas, was found guilty and the additional punitive damages have not even been tallied. An additional $4 million is being considered for legal fees and compensatory damages.

In spite of Thomas calling Sanders a "bitch" in nearly every sentence and making racist remarks about whites, Thomas loudly maintains his innocence. Madison Square Garden is not expected to appeal the decision. [Kati Cornell, nypost.com, December 11, 2007]

High Schools

I remember an incident at a former school where high school basketball stars threw pennies at the cheerleaders while doing routines. Of course, this horrified the crowd but the boys were quite proud of their insult. The following week, the boys poured Pepsi down the front of the cheerleaders sweaters. When the girls complained to the superintendent, they were told that the athletes could not be punished for expressing their constitutional first amendment rights. The cheerleaders all quit. The coach and principal wanted to punish the players but were ordered not to--winning was everything. The school had an "obligation to keep morale high" for the team stated the superintendent.

So, it is probably no surprise that some athletes think that rules don't apply to them. They go out into the real world thinking the rules are the same as they were in high school....but they aren't.

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.