Seems like athletes are on a short fuze this year.
In a recent game versus BYU, University of New Mexico defender Elisabeth Lampert displayed several "unsportsmanlike actions" during the game at the Mountain West Conference tournament this past weekend. Lampert fought with several BYU players and did everything in the book short of drop kicking her opponents from BYU. Lampert only recieved a yellow card for her actions on the field.
Now, in competitive sports there is certainly rough play and there is even dirty play to some degree. But Lampert's actions were more than uncalled for. Regardless of frustration, it is in the athlete's hands to deal with the situation with dignity and respect. Turn the other cheek, so to speak. Not only were Lampert's actions determiental to her character, but they were also detrimental to the team.
Lampert's display of fisticuffs wasn't the first on-field incident in collegiate sports this year. Oregon University Running Back LeGarrette Blount got in an altercation with Boise State's Byron Hout when Blout punched Hout after the game and attempted to rush Boise State fans. Blount was suspended and, just this week, was reinstated to the team.
Why so serious?
Emotions always run high in competitive sports, but atheltes have to realize that regardless of what it is said/done to them during or even after a game, that they are representing themselves and more importantly their school. Too much is on the line- read. YOUR SCHOLARSHIP- to get some sort of vindication by administering some sort of on-court justice.
Bottom line is, ladies and gentlemen of college sports, to be the bigger person and just play the game.
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