Leilani Rios has been (if I could borrow the words of Malcolm X) hoodwinked and bamboozled. Who is Leilani Rios you ask? She was a cross-country runner for the CS-Fullerton Titans, but she was kicked off the team by coach John Elders for working as a stripper, err, exotic dancer at the local Flamingo Theatre. John Elders you get the thumbs down-R.I.P. Gene Siskel.

Ms. Rios was given an ultimatum by coach Elders that went along the lines of: give up sliding down the pole or give up running for the Titans. And just like that she was STRIPPED of her track shoes.

Old stiff Elders cited the Titan?s Athletic Code of Conduct as the reason for dismissal,

“Titans represent themselves, their teammates and the athletic department in a positive way. Most importantly, they give everyone who sees them a positive image of Titan student-athletes.”

What?s more positive then a discounted lap-dance?

But the most ridiculous fact hasn?t even been told yet. Rios? get naked for money routine was discovered by, get this; members of the Titan baseball team taking in the show fully draped in Titan caps and sweatshirts representing Titan pride and oozing with “positive image.” Rios actually tried to avoid the players but it was not to be, as her cover was blown. Soon the rumor of the stripper with a pair of New Balances spread like- oops- let me rephrase that, word got around. Within a week, Elders gave Rios the ultimatum. And what discipline waited for the Gentlemen?s Club patrons? They were given a review of the esteemed Titan Code of Conduct and sent back to practice. School AD John Easterbrook, another stiff, backed the coach?s decision and said that after the review of the code by the players it was no longer an issue.

Rios, like a lot of college students, worked to pay the bills- including tuition. She was lucky enough to have a job, albeit with no clothes and lots of glitter, that paid her bills and gave her enough spare time to compete in cross-country. If she quit her night job, she would not be able to go to school, so she had to drop competitive running. What?s ironic is Rios actually transferred from CS-San Bernardino to CS Fullerton because of the stronger sports program. She just didn?t realize how strong it was.

This is obviously a situation where the male-dominated, politically influenced sports world has preyed upon an innocent student-athlete. Let?s say the shoe was on the other foot and a male student-athlete that happened to be a standout in his sport, was caught in a G-string letting the dogs out. I guarantee the action would be different. There would be a slap on the wrist and he would be allowed to participate in both rump shaking and ball catching. It?s all politics. If the sport is a big revenue generator like baseball it can be overlooked but a small sport like cross country, forget about it.

The Titan baseball team is nationally ranked every year and is a proverbial powerhouse. A loss of players could badly damage the team?s record and therefore its status as a powerhouse. In return, a loss of revenue. AD Easterbrook couldn?t have that, so poor little Leilani Rios is caught in the middle and is the victim. As for Elders, he swears that Rios would have gotten the boot regardless if she were the best runner or the worst. I tend to disagree. But all is not lost for the 21-year-old kinesiology major. Matt Simpson, track coach for nearby Golden West College, said he would giver Rios a try-out if she was willing to transfer. Coach I see you working.