The athletic program at Barton County Community College in Kansas is reeling from a scandal in the athletic department that has resulted in a raft of federal indictments and the dismissal of its president.
The impact of the investigation into misconduct at Barton County has been far-reaching and has affected even the SIU basketball program, as assistant basketball coach Shane Hawkins was charged with lying to a federal grand jury. Hawkins served as assistant at Barton County from 1999 to 2001.
In response to the indictment, Hawkins was placed on paid leave of absence, which was the correct course of action to take for the Athletic Department and the basketball program.
When news of the charges against Hawkins first broke, head basketball coach Chris Lowery offered lukewarm support of Hawkins, making it clear that everyone needed to know more before passing any judgment. Lowery said that Hawkins would not be suspended and his fate would not be decided until more was known.
"We're not going to do anything until we actually find out what is actually going on with the whole situation," Lowery said.
He also said, "We're just going to sit back and play it by ear. At this point, we're going to support Hawk as much as possible."
Lowery's position, and that of the entire SIUC athletic program, was less than enviable at that point. No one wants to denounce a fellow staff member and former Saluki great without knowing the facts. Similarly, sometimes an offer of support can be construed as approval.
It was an awkward situation, made all the more awkward by the memory of how Saluki basketball players Stetson Hairston and Mike Dale were handled when news broke of their involvement in a fight before last season.
If they were playing it by ear with Hairston and Dale, it was to an entirely different tune. Both were promptly suspended, missing three games each, and they eventually pleaded guilty to battery.
If SIU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk hadn't found a way to separate Hawkins and his legal troubles from the rest of the team, he would have left the impression that a double standard existed. He would also have risked guilt by association, embroiling the team in a controversy in which they play no part.
We are glad to learn there is but one standard, and that it puts the best interests of the team first.
Let the drama play out in Kansas, where it belongs. Kowalczyk said our program is "above board," and let's continue that. A team needs intense focus to be both successful on the court and off. They must put away distractions and concentrate on the real issues. Personal and legal drama can affect an entire team.
By the same reasoning, Hawkins' focus belongs on his legal challenges. How could he give his full attention to the team while worrying about the possibility of a heavy fine and prison time?
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