The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/26/08 Section: Opinions

Dogs out of bounds

Student athletes, as performers, have
an obligation to be positive role models.

The University's men's basketball team is once again off to a remarkable start for the 2008-09 season, as rising senior Billy Humphrey was arrested and charged Tuesday with DUI, failure to maintain lane and purchase/possession of alcohol while under 21 years of age.
We at The Red & Black would like to take this opportunity to commend Humphrey for his extraordinary three-peat, an accomplishment somewhat akin in rarity to the Gym Dogs' four-in-a-row national championships.
We also would like to implore the other players who have managed to stay out of trouble this year to continue their streak into next season.
One's good conduct on the court should be mirrored off the court as well, whether downtown, at one's residence or back home for the summer.
Although the basketball team performed admirably at the SEC and NCAA tournament, it does not excuse Humphrey for this third arrest. In fact, it makes each player's infractions even more troubling, as they continue to display a lack of responsibility in serving as positive role models.
We also are aware that many will blame Coach Felton for failing to control Humphrey in the days to come, but the matter is out of the coach's hands. Humphrey knew that if he was arrested on a second alcohol violation that he would be suspended for half of the games. If being suspended for half of the games of the season is not enough of a deterrent, what is?
The fact is athletes are held to a higher standard in the public eye, as well they should be. Like it or not, they are the public face of the University and their conduct reflects upon the entire institution.
So, team, while we appreciate your efforts in helping us to fill our pages each week, we'd rather limit your newspaper appearances to your athletic achievements.

- Greg Wilson for the editorial board

Be responsible

Take the initiative to protect yourself and your partner. Get tested today.

Five minutes. That's all the time it takes to find out your HIV status.
With National HIV Testing Day tomorrow, we at The Red & Black encourage students to get tested. Although we do not judge students about their sexual activities, students must be responsible about their health, and part of being responsible is knowing your status.
According the Centers for Disease and Control, 1 million Americans are living with HIV, and a quarter do not know their status. Thirteen percent of all new AIDS cases in 2004 were for people between the ages of 13 and 24, and that number continues to rise. In addition, Georgia is in the top 10 states with the highest number of AIDS cases.
The test is short, virtually painless and 99 percent accurate due to the oral OraSure HIV-1 test, which detects HIV-1 antibodies.
There's no excuse. Getting tested and knowing your status is not only important for your health, but also for the health of your partner.
Several places are offering free and anonymous HIV testing, including AIDS Athens today and Friday and the University Health Center today by appointment.
For more information on testing centers located by zip code, visit: www.hivtest.org.

-Tamara Best for the editorial board

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