TCU Athletics Staff Speak About Drug Arrests
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In light of the arrest of 17 TCU students, including 4 football players on drug-related charges (click here for story), TCU director of intercollegiate athletics Chris Del Conte and head football coach Gary Patterson released statements today as follows:
TCU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Chris Del Conte
“I expect our student-athletes to serve as ambassadors for the university and will not tolerate behavior that reflects poorly on TCU, the athletics department, our teams or other student-athletes within the department. We educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community and it is disappointing to me, personally, when they fall far short of these goals.
“We have an excellent athletics program at TCU and an indicator of that excellence is the fact that we will not tolerate criminal conduct among our student-athletes.
“Our student-athletes are a microcosm of society and unfortunately that means some of our players reflect a culture that glorifies drugs and drug use. That mindset is not reflected by TCU nor will it be allowed within athletics.”
TCU Head Football Coach Gary Patterson
“There are days people want to be a head football coach, but today is not one of those days. As I heard the news this morning, I was first shocked, then hurt and now I’m mad.
“Under my watch, drugs and drug use by TCU’s student-athletes will not be tolerated by me or any member of my coaching staff. Period. Our program is respected nationally for its strong ethics and for that reason the players arrested today were separated from TCU by the University. I believe strongly that young people’s lives are more important than wins or losses.
“This situation isn’t unique to TCU–it is a global issue that we all have to address. This isn’t just about bad decisions made by a small percentage of my team. It is about a bigger issue across this country and world.
“As a coach, I do the best I can to educate members of my team. We have programs in place that teach student-athletes about what they should and shouldn’t do and how to be successful in life. I talk to them about how to be students and upstanding men that uphold the TCU name and its traditions.
“At the end of the day, though, sometimes young people make poor choices. The Horned Frogs are bigger and stronger than those involved.”
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram released a copy of some of the arrest warrants which includes damaging statements about other members of the team.
