The much-publicized recent accusations against a small group of football players for causing problems at a local bar have had the unfortunate effect of placing the entire team?and indeed the school?in the local spotlight. According to the bar?s owner, Erick Feil, Sacramento State football players have been damaging property, harassing women and participating in violent acts at Stingers Sports Pub.

The owner claims that these things have been going on for the last semester and a half, and recently things have gotten out of hand. He has a list of about 10 Sac State football players who have been “eighty-sixed” from the bar. And for a school which is fighting to uphold a professional image, such as Sac State, these problems are severe.

Football players are among the most recognizable members of the campus community, and yes, they are held up to certain standards that other students may not be. But that is the nature of playing such a role on the campus. Whether we like it or not, football players, just like other recognizable Sac State students and faculty, are representatives of our university and should always act accordingly. We may not think that our actions have campus-wide implications, but they do.

As in almost every situation such as this, the actions of the misguided few reflect directly on the whole group. In this case, it is the entire football team?and the entire campus?that looks bad. It?s not just the 10 players (of 89) who decided to cause problems that are affected by their poor judgement?it is every Sac State student who frequents these establishments.

It?s important for all of us to remember the consequences of our actions, especially when it comes to something that would reflect negatively upon more than just ourselves. Events such as these make it hard for all of us to take pride in our university, and also demonstrate a contradiction to those things that we have recently had to fight to retain?such as being allowed to drink at football games. Additionally, these circumstances place football coach John Volek, the Campus Police and the University Administration in an uncomfortable position of explaining these actions to the public. It?s time for those responsible to stand up, grow up and be held accountable for their actions?don?t leave it to others to take the fall or to explain your behavior.

Coach Volek summed it up best when he said, “We have to be ambassadors of the University.”

And these words of wisdom go for everybody on this campus.