Athlete's dad files suit over penalty

[Grappler160]

I feel that since both the parent and the child new the rule (located on page 7 of the Athletic Code of Conduct under Violations located on the school's site) thet have no right to argue. Lets remember that Luke had a choice here. It is a privledge to be a part of an extra curricular organization, he could either be aa part of the team and abide by the rules, or choose to use tobacco and not be a part of the team. Lets also remember that he DID get caught using chewing tobacco in class, which is not only against school policy, but it is extreemly disrespectful to the teacher and the school itself. If he was really serious about being an athlete he would not have done this in the first place.

[ScoobysMom]

Originally Posted by friendly

I agree with Mr. Roth 100%. For some reason schools want to run every aspect of a kid's life until they graduate. They are trying to be the law and god. I know of a kid that was 18 and someone supposedly saw him by a pack of ciggarettes which he was perfectly legal in doing, had nothig to do with school and was suspended from wrestling for a couple of weeks. When I was in school nothing like this happened and if it did it was usually handled by the school and the parents. How can you tell an 18yr old kid that he can go to war, have kids, be a father, have all the responsibilities and stress of being an adult and then condemn him for freaking smoking. This country gets worse every year. What happened to democracy and land of the free. We are being more limited every year as to what we can do and say legally. These school officials are like cops on the prowl hiding and just looking for a kid to screw up. The person that seen Lucas smoking should of had the decency to confront him and his parents about this instead of running as fast as he could like a little freaking kid tattling on another. It's freaking ridiculous.

I think it goes back to the fact that athletics is not a right, but a privilege and a contract was signed. Smoking is being banned in public places more and more and it has nothing to do with a persons age, it has to do with the fact that it is a health risk to those who do not smoke.

As far as this country getting worse every year, in comparison to many other countries we have it made, but really if you don't like it here go give another country a try and let me know how it works out

At some point our society need to quit allowing people to place blame on others for their poor decisions and start taking reponsibility for the decisions they make, the biggest problem with this country is the society of, if I don't like it I will sue you.

[wagon0619]

Originally Posted by Attitude

The question is when you are not on school grounds, should the school have jurisdiction or is that the job of local law enforcement at that point?
There is no question the act was wrong legally but when should the school be the judge and jury vs. the local police?

At our school the police liason gets all police reports involving students, and if they are involved in extra curriculars(including plays, bands, etc..) they are held accountable for their actions. These activities, like mammachase said, are privileges not rights, and these students sign a code saying they won't partake in these activities. No court that I have heard has said that this is illegal for the schools to do. They have agreed that it is not a right to participate.

We are also talking about a 3rd offense, not a first, so they knew the whole process involved.

[Dondo]

Originally Posted by ScoobysMom

Smoking is being banned in public places more and more and it has nothing to do with a persons age, it has to do with the fact that it is a health risk to those who do not smoke.

Now that you mentioned it, is smoking banned at all public (and bars?) in Illinois coming Jan 1? Forgot about that.

[wagon0619]

Originally Posted by Dondo

Now that you mentioned it, is smoking banned at all public (and bars?) in Illinois coming Jan 1? Forgot about that.

Yes, January 1!

[Mr. White]

I'm all for a person being able to smoke if they wish. I'm also against the new IL state law going into effect Jan 1 that tells owners of a private business what they can and can't do. This is not about smoking, this is about making a choice to play by the rules or not at all. Even if the athlete is 18 and can purchase tobacco, smoke it, chew it whatever, he is still competing in an organization that promotes athletic competition among kids. More and more now kids are 18 and 19 and still in high school, so if they're 18 they can do it and that's fine. But if they wish to compete in an athletics for their school, they have to play by the rules the school has in place.

[Dondo]

Originally Posted by wagon0619

Yes, January 1!

Yes!! Don't attack me smokers..... Went to Lassens Tap last night for my usual wing night, came home stinking real bad!

[crazyrunner1215]

Yes Dondo it is...Which I think is very unconstitutional. What happened to our rights? I have become a smoker since stopping athletics. My choice, it is legal because I am over 18. But now it is becoming illegal in some places. Makes no sense at all.

[Attitude]

Originally Posted by wagon0619

At our school the police liason gets all police reports involving students, and if they are involved in extra curriculars(including plays, bands, etc..) they are held accountable for their actions. These activities, like mammachase said, are privileges not rights, and these students sign a code saying they won't partake in these activities. No court that I have heard has said that this is illegal for the schools to do. They have agreed that it is not a right to participate.

We are also talking about a 3rd offense, not a first, so they knew the whole process involved.

I agree...just pointing out where the ambiguities are. You signed it, you live by it...and the consequences.

[MR TWISTER]

Originally Posted by mamachase

Well I know at GBN, if athletes are at parties were alcohol, smoking and or drugs are taken place and they are caught, even if they are Not par-taking in any of the activities they are still held accountable as if they were. They know better. If they have pictures on my space or face book that show them holding a cigarette or alcohol they can still get in trouble. Athletics, just like driving is a privilege not a RIGHT!

I guess my issue with this story if I read it correctly is that Mr. Roth is blaming the suspension as hurting Lucas chances for a scholarship and is he suing for monetary damages?

“Among other things, the suspension hurt Lucas Roth's chances for a college scholarship, Roth said, adding that some schools with large wrestling programs, like the University of Missouri, stopped recruiting him”

Because I would say that it is his actions and the smoking that hurt his chances for scholarships at a top program. Schools have to be very careful on whom they spend their 9.9 money on and I would think they might think twice about an athlete that smokes.

Boy oh boy, I would love to see how they can prove that Missouri stopped recruiting Roth because of the suspension and how they can prove that Missouri offered a scholarship? I bet that is the part of the lawsuit that will cause a hangup in court.