Sex might sell clothes and cold beverages, but it certainly doesn’t sell college athletics.

The recent scandals at Penn State and Syracuse Universities have shaken the foundation of college sports. Thanks to the former assistant football coach of Penn State’s infamous Nittany Lions, the sanctity of the game has been ripped at the seams and, all too suddenly, America has received a rude awakening. 

Shortly following Jerry Sandusky’s 40 charges of alleged rape and molestation of young boys, Bernie Fine, long-time assistant coach to the Syracuse men’s basketball team, was fired. The decision to dismiss Fine was due to allegations made by seven ball boys in total, some of whom claim to have been victimized by Fine for 20 years. The abuse, dating back to 1987, has brought to light another concern. 

Jim Boeheim, head basketball coach at Syracuse, is now under public criticism, with many calling for him to be fired due to his negligence of the boys’ safety. 

It is time we hold those who lead college athletics accountable. Beyond that, it is time we hold adults accountable, on and off the clock. 

Guilford’s head football coach Chris Rusiewicz spoke to the responsibility adults have when working with children. 

“I worked for a YMCA for several years and being alone with a child was a big no,” said Rusiewicz in an email interview. “I just follow my YMCA background (and) training when I am around children and try to teach my staff the same things.”

In North Carolina, you are required to report any witness or suspicion of child abuse to the authorities. Why is this same sense of moral and civic duty not applied to athletics? Compassion should trump career status every time, even for coaches like Joe Paterno. 

While the focus is on recent revelations and exposure of sexual abuse, there is still a lack of consideration for the victims of these heinous acts. Blatant neglect of the victims’ struggle was seen after Paterno, former head football coach at PSU, was fired. Paterno, the Pennsylvanian idol who failed to alert the appropriate authorities after hearing word of Sandusky’s foul play, received the support of over 1,000 Penn State students rioting in violent protest of his termination. The victims, however, have yet to see the same level of compassion. 

The media has overlooked youth who wish to be involved in athletic programs. As a result of the recent allegations at Syracuse, some basketball teams have temporarily removed all of their ball boys. The ball boys, ranging from 10 to 18 years of age, are suffering the brunt of the scandal. Because boys of similar ages were brutally victimized, boys around the country are facing the consequences of these coaches’ actions.