4 Game Suspension Not Enough

If you haven't heard yet, my beloved Seminoles are now front and center of what appears to be a very bad cheating scandal.

More than 25 student-athletes (football players included) are believed to have cheated on tests through an internet based course with the help of some tutors. Those football players (other sports were also involved) have been suspended from the Music City Bowl against Kentucky as well as the first three games of the 2008 season.

However, if the allegations are true a four game suspension is not enough. I believe these players should be removed from the football team- no matter how much of a star they are.

Our university system today has lost its focus on its mission of education. Sports- the money maker they are in our country- have far replaced academics as what most universities stand for or try to achieve.

However, the suspensions should not stop there. The Athletic Director will resign on December 31- good move. Also, one full-time tutor has already been fired and any more found to be involved should be as well.

One of the biggest reasons I became a fan of Florida State was because of Bobby Bowden. However, no sports star or coach in America is worth 2.5 million dollars. I love you Bobby, but you don't need that big of a paycheck. I wonder if any professors of Florida State make 2.5 million dollars (with added incentives if there students score well on a test!)?

Should Bobby retire? In one more year, yes. There needs to be a "retirement year" for Bowden. A farewell tour if you will. If Bobby were to walk away now I believe that it is too dark of a note to end on for himself and for Florida State.

However, before you begin bashing Florida State too much, remember, this happens at every university. None of them are immune. I think that this quote that was posted by a fan on espn.com sums it up:

Let's just be honest, not only with FSU but many other universities as well. We've lost the "student" in student-athlete. These kids don't go to college to study they go to play football or basketball. As a former athlete I can honestly say that I spent more time practicing and studying film than studying for exams and doing homework. In the athletes mind that's not why they are there, they believe it's stepping stone to the NBA or NFL, which right now I would agree with them. qdubz4235